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CORONAiluN    OF   CllARl.l^AIAONE.-L.-vi 


LEGENDS  OF  THE  MIDDLE  AGES 


NARRATED  WITH  SPECIAL  REFERENCE  TO 
LITERATURE  AND  ART 


BY 

H.  A.  GUERBER 

AUTHOR  OF   "myths  OF  GREECE  AND  ROME,"   "  MYTHS   OF  NORTHERN  "lANDS," 


y  US/ 


"  Saddle  the  Hippogriffs,  ye  Muses  nine, 
A  mi  straight  we'll  ride  to  the  land  of  old  Romance. " 

Wl  ELAND. 


NEW  YORK    •  :  •    CINCINNATI    •  :  •    CHICAGO 

AMERICAN    BOOK    COMPANY 


Copyright,  1896,  by 
American  Book  Company. 

LEGENDS    OF   THE    MIDDLE   AGES. 
E— P  2 


433 
Gr93 


DEDICATED 
TO   MY   SISTER, 

ADELE   E.  GUERBEK, 


"  Men  lykyn  jestis  for  to  here, 

And  romans  rede  in  diuers  manere 

"  Of  Brute  that  baron  bold  of  bond, 
The  first  conqueroure  of  Englond; 
Of  kyng  Artour  that  was  so  riche, 
Was  non  in  his  tyme  him  Uche. 

"  How  kyng  Charlis  and  Rowlond  fawght 
With  sarzyns  nold  they  be  cawght ; 
Of  Tristrem  and  of  Ysoude  the  swete, 
How  tney  with  love  first  gan  mete ; 

"  Stories  of  diuerce  thynggis, 
Of  pryncis,  prelatis,  and  of  kynggis  ; 
Many  songgis  of  diuers  ryme, 
As  english,  frensh,  and  latyne." 

Cursor  Mmuli. 


PREFACE. 


THE  object  of  this  work  is  to  familiarize  young  students  with 
the  legends  which  form  the  staple  of  mediaeval  literature. 

While  they  may  owe  more  than  is  apparent  at  first  sight  to  the 
classical  writings  of  the  palmy  days  of  Greece  and  Rome,  these 
legends  are  very  characteristic  of  the  people  who  told  them,  and 
they  are  the  best  exponents  of  the  customs,  manners,  and  beliefs 
of  the  time  to  which  they  belong.  They  have  been  repeated  in 
poetry  and  prose  with  endless  variations,  and  some  of  our  greatest 
modern  writers  have  deemed  them  worthy  of  a  new  dress,  as  is 
seen  in  Tennyson's  "  Idyls  of  the  King,"  Goethe's  "  Reineke 
Fuchs,"  Tegner's  "  Frithiof  Saga,"  Wieland's  "  Oberon,"  Morris's 
"  Story  of  Sigurd,"  and  many  shorter  works  by  these  and  less 
noted  writers. 

These  mediaeval  legends  form  a  sort  of  literary  quarry,  from 
which,  consciously  or  unconsciously,  each  writer  takes  some 
stones  wherewith  to  build  his  own  edifice.  Many  allusions  in  the 
literature  of  our  own  day  lose  much  of  their  force  simply  because 
these  legends  are  not  available  to  the  general  reader. 

It  is  the  aim  of  this  volume  to  bring  them  within  reach  of  all, 
and  to  condense  them  so  that  they  may  readily  be  understood. 
Of  course  in  so  limited  a  space  only  an  outline  of  each  legend 
can  be  given,  with  a  few  short  quotations  from  ancient  and  modern 
writings  to  illustrate  the  style  of  the  poem  in  which  they  are  em- 
bodied, or  to  lend  additional  force  to  some  point  in  the  story. 

This  book  is,  therefore,  not  a  manual  of  mediaeval  literature, 

5 


6  PREFACE. 

or  a  series  of  critical  essays,  but  rather  a  synopsis  of  some  of 
the  epics  and  romances  which  formed  the  main  part  of  the  cul- 
ture of  those  days.  Very  little  prominence  has  been  given  to 
the  obscure  early  versions,  all  disquisitions  have  been  carefully 
avoided,  and  explanations  have  been  given  only  where  they 
seemed  essential. 

The  wealth  and  variety  of  imagination  displayed  in  these  leg- 
ends will,  I  hope,  prove  that  the  epoch  to  which  they  belong  has 
been  greatly  maligned  by  the  term  "  dark  ages,"  often  applied  to  it. 
Such  was  the  favor  which  the  legendary  style  of  composition 
enjoyed  with  our  ancestors  that  several  of  the  poems  analyzed 
in  this  volume  were  among  the  first  books  printed  for  general 
circulation  in  Europe.    • 

Previous  to  the  invention  of  printing,  however,  they  were  famil- 
iar to  rich  and  poor,  thanks  to  the  scalds,  bards,  trouveres,  trou- 
badours, minstrels,  and  minnesingers,  who,  like  the  rhapsodists 
of  Greece,  spent  their  lives  in  wandering  from  place  to  place, 
relating  or  reciting  these  tales  to  all  they  met  in  castle,  cottage, 
and  inn. 

A  chapter  on  the  Romance  literature  of  the  period  in  the  differ- 
ent countries  of  Europe,  and  a  complete  index,  will,  it  is  hoped, 
fit  this  volume  for  handy  reference  in  schools  and  libi'aries,  where 
the  author  trusts  it  may  soon  find  its  own  place  and  win  a  warm 
welcome. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAP.  PAGE 

I.    Beowulf 9 

II.    GuDRUN 22 

III.  Reynard  the  Fox 35 

IV.  The  Nibelungenlied 53 

V.    Langobardian  Cycle  of  Myths 86 

VI.    The  Amelings 100 

VII.    Dietrich  VON  Bern no 

_VIII.    Charlemagne  and  his  Paladins         ....  129 

IX.    The  Sons  of  Aymon 152 

X.    HuoN  of  Bordeaux 163 

XI.   Titurel  and  the  Holy  Grail 182 

XII.    Merlin 204 

XIII.  The  Round  Table 214 

XIV.  Tristan  and  Iseult 234 

XV.   The  Story  of  Frithiof 246 

XVI.    Ragnar  Lodbrok 269 

XVII.    The  Cid 282 

XVIII.    General  Survey  of  Romance  Literature        .        .  301 


1/ 


LIST   OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Coronation  of  Charlemagne— Levy 

Funeral  of  a  Northern  Chief — Cormon   Jo/ace 

GuDRUN  AND  THE  SwAN— Kepler 

Brown  the  Bear  caught  in  the  Log— Wagner. . . 

Reynard  preparing  for  Battle— Kaulbach 

Gunther  winning  his  Bride— Keller 

Siegfried's  Body  borne  home  by  the    Huntsmen 
— Pixis 

Asprian  slaying  the  Lion— Keller 

Falke  kills  the  Giant— Keller 

The  Victorious  Huns— Checa 

The  Tomb  of  Theodoric 

The  Death  of  Roland— Keller 

HuGN  before  the  Pope— Gabriel  Max 

HuoN  and  Amanda  leap  overboard— Gabriel  Max 
Parzival  uncovering  the  Holy  Grail— Pixis  .... 

Arrival  of  Lohengrin— Pixis 

The  Beguiling  of  Merlin— Burne-Jones 

Sir  Lancelot  du  Lac— Sir  John  Gilbert  .    

Elaine— Rosenthal 

Iseult  signals  Tristan— Pixis ■ 

TiiK  Lovers  at  Baldeu's  Shrine— Kepler 

Friihiof  at  the  Court  of  King  Ring— Kepler. .  . 

Strategy  of  Hastings- Keller   

The  Cid's  La.st  Victory— Rochegrosse 

8 


Frontispiece 


page 


i8 

31 
40 

SI 
60 

71 

90 

112 

121 

128 

14s 
164 

175 
189 

203 

212 

220 

228 
242 
256 
264 
277 
299 


LEGENDS  OF  THE  MIDDLE  AGES, 


CHAPTER    I. 

BEOWULF. 


"  List !  we  have  learnt  a  tale  of  other  years, 
Of  kings  and  warrior  Danes,  a  wondrous  tale, 
How  cCthelings  bore  them  in  the  brunt  of  war." 

Beowulf  (Conybeare's  tr.). 

The  most  ancient  relic  of  literature  of  the  spoken  languages 
of  modern  Europe  is  undoubtedly  the  epic  poem  "  Beowulf," 
which  is  supposed  to  have  been  composed  by  the  Anglo-Saxons 
previous  to  their  invasion  of  England.  Although  the  poem  prob- 
ably belongs  to  the  fifth  century,  the  only  existing  manuscript  is 
said  to  date  from  the  ninth  or  tenth  century. 

This  curious  work,  in  rude  alliterative  verse  (for  rhyme  was  in- 
troduced in  England  only  after  the  Norman  Conquest),  is  the 
most  valuable  old  English  manuscript  in  the  British  Museum. 
Although  much  damaged  by  fire,  it  has  been  carefully  studied  by 
learned  men.  They  have  patiently  restored  the  poem,  the  story 
of  which  is  as  follows  : 

Hrothgar  (the  modern  Roger),  King  of  Denmark,  was  a  de- 
scendant of  Odin,  being  the  third  monarch  of  the  celebrated 
dynasty  of  the  Skioldungs.  They  proudly  traced  origin  of  the 
their  ancestry  to  Skeaf,  or  Skiold,  Odin's  son,  who  Skioldungs. 
mysteriously  drifted  to  their  shores.  He  was  then  but  an  infant, 
and  lay  in  the  middle  of  a  boat,  on  a  sheaf  of  ripe  wheat,  sur- 
rounded by  priceless  weapons  and  jewels.     As  the  people  were 

9 


lo  LEGENDS   OE   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

seeking  for  a  ruler,  they  immediately  recognized  the  hand  of 
Odin  in  this  mysterious  advent,  proclaimed  the  child  king,  and 
obeyed  him  loyally  as  long  as  he  lived.  When  he  felt  death 
draw  near,  Skeaf,  or  Skiold,  ordered  a  vessel  to  be  prepared,  lay 
down  in  the  midst  on  a  sheaf  of  grain  or  on  a  funeral  pyre,  and 
drifted  out  into  the  wide  ocean,  disappearing  as  mysteriously  as 
he  had  come. 

Such  being  his  lineage,  it  is  no  wonder  that  Hrothgar  became  a 

mighty  chief ;  and  as  he  had  amassed  much  wealth  in  the  course 

Construction     of  a  long  Hfc  of  Warfare,  he  resolved  to  devote  part 

of  Heorot.      Qf  jj-  jq  ^^  coustructiou  of  a  magnificent  hall,  called 

Heorot,  where  he  might  feast  his  retainers  and  listen  to  the  heroic 

lays  of  the  scalds  during  the  long  winter  evenings. 

"  A  hall  of  mead,  such  as  for  space  and  state 
The  elder  time  ne'er  boasted ;  there  with  free 
And  princely  hand  he  might  dispense  to  all 
(Save  the  rude  crowd  and  men  of  evil  minds) 
The  good  he  held  from  Heaven.     That  gallant  work, 
Full  well  I  wot,  through  inany  a  land  was  known 
Of  festal  halls  the  brightest  and  the  best." 

Beowjtlf  (Conybeare's  tr.). 

The  inauguration  of  this  hall  was  celebrated  by  a  sumptuous 
entertainment ;  and  when  all  the  guests  had  retired,  the  king's 
bodyguard,  composed  of  thirty-two  dauntless  warriors,  lay  down 
in  the  hall  to  rest.  When  morning  dawned,  and  the  servants 
appeared  to  remove  the  couches,  they  beheld  with  horror  the 
floor  and  walls  all  stained  with  blood,  the  only  trace  of  the  knights 
who  had  gone  to  rest  there  in  full  armor. 

Gigantic,  blood-stained  footsteps,  leading  directly  from  the  fes- 
tive hall  to  the  sluggish  waters  of  a  deep  mountain  lake,  or  fiord, 
The  monster  furuished  the  Only  clew  to  their  disappearance. 
Grendei.  Hrothgar,  the  king,  beholding  these,  declared  that 
they  had  been  made  by  Grendei,  a  descendant  of  the  giants, 
whom  a  m.agician  had  driven  out  of  the  country,  but  who  had 
evidently  returned  to  renew  his  former  depredations. 


BEOWULF.  II 

"  A  haunter  of  marshes,  a  holder  of  moors. 

Secret 
The  land  he  inhabits ;  dark,  wolf-haunted  ways 
Of  the  windy  hillside,  by  the  treacherous  tarn ; 
Or  where,  covered  up  in  its  mist,  the  hill  stream 
Downward  flows." 

Beo7vulf  (K.esLry's  tr.). 

As  Hrothgar  was  now  too  old  to  wield  a  sword  with  his  former 
skill,  his  first  impulse  was,  of  course,  to  offer  a  princely  reward 
to  any  man  brave  enough  to  free  the  country  of  this  terrible 
scourge.  As  soon  as  this  w^s  known  ten  of  his  doughtiest 
knights  volunteered  to  camp  in  the  hall  on  the  following 
night,  and  attack  the  monster  Grendel  should  he  venture  to 
reappear. 

But  in  spite  of  the  valor  of  these  experienced  warriors,  and  of 
the  efficacy  of  their  oft-tried  weapons,  they  too  succumbed.  A 
minstrel,  hiding  in  a  dark  corner  of  the  hall,  was  the  only  one 
who  escaped  Grendel's  fury,  and  after  shudderingly  describing 
the  massacre  he  had  witnessed,  he  fled  in  terror  to  the  kingdom 
of  the  Geates  (Jutes  or  Goths).  There  he  sang  his  lays  in  the 
presence  of  Hygelac,  the  king,  and  of  his  nephew  Beowulf  (the 
Bee  Hunter),  and  roused  their  deepest  interest  by  describing  the 
visit  of  Grendel  and  the  vain  but  heroic  defense  of  the  brave 
knights.  Beowulf,  having  listened  intently,  eagerly  questioned 
the  scald,  and,  learning  from  him  that  the  monster  still  haunted 
those  regions,  impetuously  declared  his  intention  to  visit  Hroth- 
gar's  kingdom,  and  show  his  valor  by  fighting  and,  if  possible, 
slaying  Grendel. 

"  He  was  of  mankind 
In  might  the  strongest, 
At  that  day 
Of  this  life, 
Noble  and  stalwart. 
He  bade  him  a  sea  ship, 
A  goodly  one,  prepare. 


12  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Quoth  he,  the  war  king, 
Over  the  swan's  road, 
Seek  he  would 
The  mighty  monarch. 
Since  he  wanted  men." 

^i-ow?/^  (Longfellow's  tr.). 

Although  very  young,  Beowulf  was  quite  distinguished,  and  had 
already  won  great  honors  in  a  battle  against  the  Swedes.  He  had 
Beowulf  and  ^^'^  provcd  his  endurance  by  entering  into  a  swim- 
Breka.  ming  match  with  Breka,  one  of  the  lords  at  his 
uncle's  court.  The  two  champions  had  started  out,  sword  in 
hand  and  fully  armed,  and,  after  swimming  in  concert  for  five 
whole  days,  they  were  parted  by  a  great  tempest. 

"Then  were  we  twain  there  on  the  sea 
Space  of  five  nights,  till  the  floods  severed  us, 
The  welling  waves.     Coldest  of  weathers. 
Shadowy  night,  and  the  north  wind 
Battelous  shocked  on  us ;  wild  were  the  waters, 
And  were  the  mere-fishes  stirred  up  in  mind." 

Beowulf. 

Breka  was  driven  ashore,  but  the  current  bore  Beowulf  toward 
some  jagged  cliffs,  where  he  desperately  clung,  trying  to  resist  the 
fury  of  the  waves,  and  using  his  sword  to  ward  off  the  attacks  of 
hostile  mermaids,  nicors  (nixies),  and  other  sea  monsters.  The 
gashed  bodies  of  these  slain  foes  soon  drifted  ashore,  to  Hygelac's 
amazement ;  but  when  Beowulf  suddenly  reappeared  and  explained 
that  they  had  fallen  by  his  hand,  his  joy  knew  no  bounds.  As 
Breka  had  returned  first,  he  received  the  prize  for  swimming ;  but 
the  king  gave  Beowulf  his  treasured  sword,  Nageling,  and  praised 
him  publicly  for  his  valor. 

Beowulf  had  successfully  encountered  these  monsters  of  the 
deep  in  the  roaring  tide,  so  he  now  expressed  a  hope  that  he 
might  prevail  against  Grendel  also;  and  embarking  with  fourteen 
cj|osen  men,  he  sailed  to  Denmark,  where  he  was  challenged  by 


BEOWULF.  13 

the  coast  guard  and  warmly  welcomed  as  soon  as  he  had  made 
his  purpose  known. 

"  'What  men  are  ye, 

War  gear  wearing, 

Host  in  harness, 

Who  thus  the  brown  keel 

Over  the  water  street 

Leading,  come 

Hither  over  the  sea  ?  '  " 

Beou'iil/  (Longfellow's  tr.). 

Hrothgar  received  Beowulf  most  hospitably,  but  vainly  tried  to 
dissuade  him  from  his  perilous  undertaking.  Then,  after  a  sump- 
tuous banquet,  where  the  mead  flowed  with  true  northern  lavish- 
ness,  Hrothgar  and  his  suite  sadly  left  the  hall  Heorot  in  charge 
of  the  brave  band  of  strangers,  whom  they  never  expected  to  see 
again. 

As  soon  as  the  king  had  departed,  Beowulf  bade  his  companions 
lie  down  and  sleep  in  peace,  promising  to  watch  over  them,  yet 
laying  aside  both  armor  and  sword  ;  for  he  knew     Beowulf  and 
that  weapons  were  of  no  avail  against  the  monster,         Grendei. 
whom  he  intended  to  grapple  with  hand  to  hand  should  it  really 
appear.    . 

"  '  I  have  heard 
That  that  foul  miscreant's  dark  and  stubborn  flesh 
Recks  not  the  force  of  arms :  —  such  I  forswear, 
Nor  sword  nor  burnish'd  shield  of  ample  round 
Ask  for  the  war ;  all  weaponless,  hand  to  hand 
(So  may  great  Higelac's  smile  repay  my  toil) 
Beowulf  will  grapple  with  the  mighty  foe.'  " 

/>Vojv;<// (Conybeare's  tr.). 

The  warriors  had  no  sooner  stretched  themselves  out  upon  the 
benches  in  the  hall  than,  overcome  by  the  oppressive  air  as  well 
as  by  mead,  they  sank  into  a  profound  sleep.  Beowulf  alone  re- 
mained awake,  watching  for  Grendel's  coming.  In  the  early 
morning,  when  all  was  very  still,  the  giant  appeared,  tore  asun- 


14  LEGENDS   OF   7^ HE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

der  the  iron  bolts  and  bars  which  secured  the  door,  and  striding 
into  the  hall,  enveloped  in  a  long,  damp  mantle  of  clammy  mist, 
he  pounced  upon  one  of  the  sleepers.  He  tore  him  limb  from 
limb,  greedily  drank  his  blood,  and  devoured  his  flesh,  leaving 
naught  but  the  head,  hands,  and  feet  of  his  unhappy  victim. 
This  ghastly  repast  only  whetted  the  fiend's  ravenous  appetite, 
however,  so  he  eagerly  stretched  out  his  hands  in  the  darkness  to 
seize  and  devour  another  warrior.  Imagine  his  surprise  and  dis- 
may when  he  suddenly  found  his  hand  caught  in  so  powerful  a 
grasp  that  all  his  efforts  could  not  wrench  it  free! 

Grendel  and  Beowulf  struggled  in  the  darkness,  overturning 
tables  and  couches,  shaking  the  great  hall  to  its  very  foundations, 
and  causing  the  walls  to  creak  and  groan  under  the  violence  of 
their  furious  blows.  But  in  spite  of  Grendel's  gigantic  stature, 
Beowulf  clung  so  fast  to  the  hand  and  arm  he  had  grasped  that 
Grendel,  making  a  desperate  effort  to  free  himself  by  a  jerk,  tore 
the  whole  limb  out  of  its  socket !  Bleeding  and  mortally  wounded, 
he  then  beat  a  hasty  retreat  to  his  marshy  den,  leaving  a  long, 
bloody  trail  behind  him. 

"  Soon  the  dark  wanderer's  ample  shoulder  bore 
A  gaping  wound,  each  starting  sinew  crack'd, 
And  from  its  socket  loosed  the  strong-knit  joint. — 
The  victory  was  with  Beowulf,  and  the  foe, 
Howling  and  sick  at  heart,  fled  as  he  might, 
To  seek  beneath  the  mountain  shroud  of  mist 
His  joyless  home  ;   for  well  he  knew  the  day 
Of  death  was  on  him,  and  his  doom  was  seal'd." 

Beowulf  (Conybeare's  tr.). 

As  for  Beowulf,  exhausted  but  triumphant,  he  stood  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  hall,  where  his  companions  crowded  around  him,  gazing 
in  speechless  awe  at  the  mighty  hand  and  limb,  and  the  clawlike 
fingers,  far  harder  than  steel,  which  no  power  had  hitherto  been 
able  to  resist. 

At  dawn  Hrothgar  and  his  subjects  also  appeared.  They  heard 
with  wonder  a  graphic  account  of  the  night's  adventures,  and 


BEOWULF. 


15 


gazed  their  fill  upon  the  monster's  hmb,  which  hung  hke  a  trophy 
from  the  ceihng  of  Heorot.  After  the  king  had  warmly  congratu- 
lated Beowulf,  and  bestowed  upon  him  many  rich  gifts,  he  gave 
orders  to  cleanse  the  hall,  to  hang  it  with  tapestry,  and  to  prepare 
a  banquet  in  honor  of  the  conquering  hero. 

While  the  men  were  feasting,  hstening  to  the  lays  of  the  scalds, 
and  carrying  the  usual  toasts,  Wealtheow,  Hrothgar's  beauti- 
ful wife,  the  Queen  of  Denmark,  appeared.    She 

,     ,       J    -r,  If   .  Beowulf  hon- 

pledged  Eeowulf  m  a  cup  of  wine,  which  he  gal-      ored  by  the 
lantly  drained  after  she  had  touched  it  to  her  lips.         q^een. 
Then   she   bestowed  upon  him  a  costly  necklace   (the  famous 
Brisinga-men,  according  to  some  authorities)  1  and  a  ring  of  the 
finest  gold. 

"  *  Wear  these,'  she  cried,  '  since  thou  hast  in  the  fight 
So  borne  thyself,  that  wide  as  ocean  rolls 
Round  our  wind-beaten  cliffs  his  brimming  waves, 
All  gallant  souls  shall  speak  thy  eulogy.'  " 

Beowulf  (Conybeare's  tr.). 

When  the  banquet  was  ended,  Hrothgar  escorted  his  guests  to 
more  pleasant  sleeping  apartments  than  they  had  occupied  the 
night  before,  leaving  his  own  men  to  guard  the  hall,  where  Gren- 
del  would  never  again  appear.  The  warriors,  fearing  no  danger, 
slept  in  peace ;  but  in  the  dead  of  night  the  mother  of  the  giant, 
as  grewsome  and  uncanny  a  monster  as  he,  glided  into  the  hall, 
secured  the  bloody  trophy  still  hanging  from  the  ceiling,  and  car- 
ried it  away,  together  with  yEschere  (Askher),  the  king's  bosom 
friend. 

When  Hrothgar  learned  this  new  loss  at  early  dawn  he  was 
overcome  with  grief ;  and  when  Beowulf,  attracted  by  the  sound 
of  weeping,  appeared  at  his  side,  he  mournfully  told  him  of  his 
irretrievable  loss. 

"  *  Ask  not  after  happiness; 
Sorrow  is  renewed 
To  the  Danes'  people. 

1  See  Guerber's  Myths  of  Northern  Lands,  p.  127. 


1 6  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

^schere  is  dead, 

Yrmenlaf 's 

Elder  brother, 

The  partaker  of  my  secrets 

And  my  counselor, 

Who  stood  at  my  elbow 

When  we  in  battle 

Our  mail  hoods  defended. 

When  troops  rushed  together 

And  boar  crests  crashed.'  " 

^tvw?^.^  (Metcalfe's  tr.). 

The  young  hero  immediately  volunteered  to  finish  his  work 

and  avenge  ^schere  by  seeking  and  attacking  Grendel's  mother 

in  her  own  retreat ;  but  as  he  knew  the  perils  of 

Beowulf  and  .  ■,,■    r-  y    •       ^• 

Grendel's       this  expedition,  Beowulf  first  gave  explicit  direc- 
mother.        ^j^^^  £^j.  ^j^^  disposal  of  his  personal  property  in 

case  he  never  returned.  Then,  escorted  by  the  Danes  and  Geates, 
he  followed  the  bloody  track  until  he  came  to  a  cliff  overhanging 
the  waters  of  the  mountain  pool.  There  the  bloody  traces  ceased, 
but  ^schere's  gory  head  was  placed  aloft  as  a  trophy. 

"  Now  paused  they  sudden  where  the  pine  grove  clad 
The  hoar  rock's  brow,  a  dark  and  joyless  shade. 
Troublous  and  blood-stain'd  roll'd  the  stream  below. 
Sorrow  and  dread  were  on  the  Scylding's  host, 
In  each  man's  breast  deep  working ;  for  they  saw 
On  that  rude  cliff  young  yEschere's  mangled  head." 

Beowulf  (Conybeare's  tr.). 

Beowulf  gazed  down  into  the  deep  waters,  saw  that  they  also 
were  darkly  dyed  with  the  monster's  blood,  and,  after  taking  leave 
of  Hrothgar,  bade  his  men  await  his  return  for  two  whole  days 
and  nights  ere  they  definitely  gave  him  up  for  lost.  He  then 
plunged  bravely  into  the  bloody  waters,  swam  about  seeking  for 
the  monster's  retreat,  and  dived  deep.  At  last,  descrying  a  phos- 
phorescent gleam  in  the  depths,  he  quickly  made  his  way  thither, 
shrewdly  conjecturing  that  it  must  be  Grendel's  hiding  place.    But 


BEOWULF.  '  17 

on  his  way  thither  he  was  repeatedly  obh'ged  to  have  recourse  to  his 
sword  to  defend  himself  against  the  clutches  of  countless  hideous 
sea  monsters  which  came  rushing  toward  him  on  all  sides. 

"  While  thro'  crystal  gulfs  were  gleaming 
Ocean  depths,  with  wonders  teeming; 
Shapes  of  terror,  huge,  unsightly, 
Loom'd  thro'  vaulted  roof  translucent." 

J.  C.  Jones,  Valhalla. 

A  Strong  current  seized  Beowulf,  and  swept  him  irresistibly 
along  into  the  shmy  retreat  of  Grendel's  mother.  She  clutched 
him  fast,  wrestled  with  him,  deprived  him  of  his  sword,  flung  him 
down,  and  finally  tried  to  pierce  his  armor  with  her  trenchant 
knife.  Fortunately,  however,  the  hero's  armor  was  weapon-proof, 
and  his  muscles  were  so  strong  that  before  she  could  do  him  any 
harm  he  had  freed  himself  from  her  grasp.  Seizing  a  large  sword 
hanging  upon  a  projection  of  rock  near  by,  he  dealt  her  a  mighty 
blow,  severing  her  head  from  the  trunk  at  a  single  stroke.  The 
blood  pouring  out  of  the  cave  mingled  with  the  waters  without, 
and  turned  them  to  such  a  lurid  hue  that  Hrothgar  and  his  men 
sorrowfully  departed,  leaving  the  Geates  alone  to  watch  for  the 
return  of  the  hero,  whom  they  feared  they  would  never  see  again. 

Beowulf,  in  the  mean  while,  had  rushed  to  the  rear  of  the  cave, 
where,  finding  Grendel  in  the  last  throes,  he  cut  off  his  head  also. 
He  seized  this  ghastly  trophy  and  rapidly  made  his  way  up 
through  the  tainted  waters,  which  the  fiery  blood  of  the  two  mon- 
sters had  so  overheated  that  his  sword  melted  in  its  scabbard  and 
naught  but  the  hilt  remained. 

"  That  stout  sword  of  proof, 
Its  warrior  task  fulfiU'd,  dropp'd  to  the  ground 
(So  work'd  the  venom  of  the  felon's  blood) 
A  molten  mass." 

^WJi'7<^(Conybeare's  tr.). 

The  Geates  were  about  to  depart  in  sorrow,  notwithstanding 
the  orders  they  had  received,  when  they  suddenly  beheld  their 


1 8  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

beloved  chief  safe  and  sound,  and  bearing  the  evidences  of  his 
success.  Then  their  cries  of  joy  echoed  and  reechoed  from  the 
neighboring  hills,  and  Beowulf  was  escorted  back  to  Heorot,  where 
he  was  almost  overwhelmed  with  gifts  by  the  grateful  Danes.  A 
few  days  later  Beowulf  and  his  companions  returned  home,  where 
the  story  of  their  adventures,  and  an  exhibition  of  all  the  treas- 
ures they  had  won,  formed  the  principal  topics  of  conversation. 

Several  years  of  comparative  peace  ensued,  ere  the  land  was 
invaded  by  the  Friesians,  who  raided  the  coast,  burning  and  plim- 

Death  of       deriug  all  in  their  way,  and  retreated  into  their  ships 

Hygeiac.  before  Hygelac  or  Beowulf  could  overtake  and 
punish  them.  The  immediate  result  of  this  invasion  was  a  coun- 
ter-movement on  Hygelac's  part.  But  although  he  successfully 
harried  Friesland,  he  fell  into  an  ambush  just  as  he  was  about 
to  leave  the  country,  and  was  cruelly  slain,  his  nephew  Beowulf 
barely  escaping  a  similar  untoward  fate. 

When  the  little  army  of  the  Geates  reached  home  once  more, 
they  either  buried  or  consumed  Hygelac's  remains,  with  his 
weapons  and  battle  steed,  as  was  customary  in  the  North.  This 
ceremony  ended,  Queen  Hygd,  overwhelmed  with  grief,  and  fear- 
ing the  almost  inevitable  dissensions  arising  during  the  long  mi- 
nority of  an  infant  king,  convened  the  popular  assembly  known  as 
the  Thing,  and  bade  the  people  set  her  own  child's  claims  aside 
in  favor  of  Beowulf.  This  proposal  was  hailed  with  enthusiasm ; 
but  Beowulf  refused  to  usurp  his  kinsman's  throne,  and  raising 
Hardred,  Hygelac's  infant  son,  upon  his  shield,  he  declared  that 
he  would  protect  and  uphold  him  as  long  as  he  lived.  The  people, 
following  his  example,  swore  fealty  to  the  new  king,  and  faith- 
fully kept  this  oath  until  he  died. 

Hardred,  having  attained  his  majority,  ruled  wisely  and  well ; 
but  his  career  was  cut  short  by  the  sons  of  Othere,  the  discoverer 
of  the  North  Cape.  These  youths  had  rebelled  against  their 
father's  authority  and  taken  refuge  at  Hardred's  court ;  but  when 
the  latter  advised  a  reconciliation,  the  eldest  youth  angrily  drew 
his  sword  and  slew  him. 


FUNERAL    OF    A    NORTHERN     CHIEF.  — Cormon. 


BEOWULF.  19 

This  crime  was  avenged,  with  true  northern  promptitude,  by 
Wiglaf,  one  of  the  king's  followers ;  and  while  the  second  youth 
effected  an  escape,  Beowulf  was  summoned  by  the    Beowulf  made 
Thing  to  accept  the  now  vacant  throne.    As  there  •'■"e- 

were  none  to  dispute  his  claims,  the  hero  no  longer  refused  to 
rule,  and  he  bravely  defended  his  kingdom  against  Eadgils, 
O there's  second  son.  Eadgils  was  now  king  of  Sweden,  and 
came  with  an  armed  host  to  avenge  his  brother's  death ;  but  he 
only  succeeded  in  losing  his  own  life. 

A  reign  of  forty  years  of  comparative  peace  brought  Beowulf 
to  extreme  old  age.  He  had  naturally  lost  much  of  his  former 
vigor,  and  was  therefore  somewhat  dismayed  when  a  terrible, 
fire-breathing  dragon  took  up  its  abode  in  the  mountains  near 
by,  where  it  gloated  over  a  hoard  of  glittering  gold. 

"  The  ranger  of  the  darksome  night, 
The  Firedrake,  came." 

Beowulf  (Conybeare's  tr.). 

A  fugitive  slave,  having  made  his  way  unseen  into  the  monster's 
den  during  one  of  its  temporary  absences,  bore  away  a  small  por- 
tion of  this  gold.     On  its  retiu^n  the  Firedrake  dis- 

The  Firedrake. 

covered  the  theft,  and  became  so  furious  that  its 
howling  and  writhing  shook  the  mountain  like  an  earthquake. 
When  night  came  on  its  rage  was  still  unappeased,  and  it  flew  all 
over  the  land,  vomiting  venom  and  flames,  setting  houses  and 
crops  afire,  and  causing  so  much  damage  that  the  people  were 
almost  beside  themselves  with  terror.  Seeing  that  all  their  at- 
tempts to  appease  the  dragon  were  utterly  fruitless,  and  being 
afraid  to  attack  it  in  its  lair,  they  finally  implored  Beowulf  to 
deliver  them  as  he  had  delivered  the  Danes,  and  to  slay  this  op- 
pressor, which  was  even  worse  than  the  terrible  Grendel. 

Such  an  appeal  could  not  be  disregarded,  and  in  spite  of  his 
advanced  years  Beowulf  donned  his  armor  once  more.  Accom- 
panied by  Wiglaf  and  eleven  of  his  bravest  men,  he  then  went 
out  to  seek  the  monster  in  its  lair.    At  the  entrance  of  the  moun- 


2  0  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

tain  gorge  Beowulf  bade  his  followers  pause,  and  advancing  alone 
to  the  monster's  den,  he  boldly  challenged  it  to  come  forth  and 
begin  the  fray.  A  moment  later  the  mountain  shook  as  the  mon- 
ster rushed  out  breathing  fire  and  flame,  and  Beowulf  felt  the  first 
gust  of  its  hot  breath,  even  through  his  massive  shield. 

"  First  from  his  lair 
Shaking  firm  earth,  and  vomiting  as  he  strode 
A  foul  and  fiery  blast,  the  monster  came." 

Beowulf  (Conybeare's  tr.). 

A  desperate  struggle  followed,  in  the  course  of  which  Beowulf's 
sword  and  strength  both  failed  him.  The  Firedrake  coiled  its 
long,  scaly  folds  about  the  aged  hero,  and  was  about  to  crush  him 
to  death  when  the  faithful  Wiglaf,  perceiving  his  master's  immi- 
nent danger,  sprang  forward  and  attacked  the  monster  so  fiercely 
as  to  cause  a  diversion  and  make  it  drop  Beowulf  to  concentrate 
its  attention  upon  him. 

Beowulf,  recovering,  then  drew  his  dagger  and  soon  put  an  end 
to  the  dragon's  life ;  but  even  as  it  breathed  its  last  the  hero  sank 
fainting  to  the  ground.  Feeling  that  his  end  was  near,  he  warmly 
thanked  Wiglaf  for  his  timely  aid,  rejoiced  in  the  death  of  the 
monster,  and  bade  his  faithful  follower  bring  out  the  concealed 
treasure  and  lay  it  at  his  feet,  that  he  might  feast  his  eyes  upon 
the  glittering  gold  he  had  won  for  his  people's  use. 

"  Saw  then  the  bold  thane 
Treasure  jewels  many, 
Glittering  gold 
Heavy  on  the  ground, 
Wonders  in  the  mound 
And  the  worm's  den. 
The  old  twilight  flier's. 
Bowls  standing ; 
Vessels  of  men  of  yore. 
With  the  mountings  fall'n  off. 
There  was  many  a  helm 
Old  and  rusty, 


BEOWULF.  2  1 

Armlets  many 

Cunningly  fastened. 

He  also  saw  hang  heavily 

An  ensign  all  golden 

High  o'er  the  hoard, 

Of  hand  wonders  greatest, 

Wrought  by  spells  of  song. 

From  which  shot  a  light 

So  that  he  the  ground  surface 

Might  perceive. 

The  wonders  overscan." 

j?£'OM/«^(Metcalfe's  tr.). 

The  mighty  treasure  was  all  brought  forth  to  the  hght  of  day, 
and  the  followers,  seeing  that  all  danger  was  over,  crowded  round 
their  dying  chief.  He  addressed  them  affection-  Death  of 
ately,  and,  after  recapitulating  the  main  events  of  Beowulf, 
his  career,  expressed  a  desire  to  be  buried  in  a  mighty  mound  on 
a  projecting  headland,  which  could  be  seen  far  out  at  sea,  and 
would  be  called  by  his  name. 

"  '  And  now, 

Short  while  I  tarry  here  —  when  I  am  gone, 

Bid  them  upon  yon  headland's  summit  rear 

A  lofty  mound,  by  Rona's  seagirt  cliff; 

So  shall  my  people  hold  to  after  times 

Their  chieftain's  memory,  and  the  mariners 

That  drive  afar  to  sea,  oft  as  they  pass. 

Shall  point  to  Beowulf's  tomb.'  " 

Benviilf  (ilowyh^-xt^' %  tr.). 

These  directions  were  all  piously  carried  out  by  a  mourning 
people,  who  decked  his  mound  with  the  gold  he  had  won,  and 
erected  above  it  a  Bauta,  or  memorial  stone,  to  show  how  dearly 
they  had  loved  their  brave  king  Beowulf,  who  had  died  to  save 
them  from  the  fury  of  the  dragon. 


CHAPTER    II. 


GUDRUN. 


Maximilian  I.,  Emperor  of  Germany,  rendered  a  great  service 
to  posterity  by  ordering  that  copies  of  many  of  the  ancient  na- 
tional manuscripts  should  be  made.  These  copies  were  placed 
in  the  imperial  library  at  Vienna,  where,  after  several  centuries 
of  almost  complete  neglect,  they  were  discovered  by  lovers  of 
early  literature,  in  a  very  satisfactory  state  of  preservation.  These 
manuscripts  then  excited  the  interest  of  learned  men,  who  not 
only  found  therein  a  record  of  the  past,  but  gems  of  literature 
which  are  only  now  beginning  to  receive  the  appreciation  they 
deserve. 

Among  these  manuscripts  is  the  poem  "  Gudrun,"  belonging  to 
the  twelfth  or  thirteenth  century.  It  is  evidently  compiled  from 
Origin  of  poem   two  or  more  much  older  lays  which  are  now  lost, 

of  Gudrun.  j^m-  ^hich  are  alluded  to  in  the  Nibelungenlied. 
The  original  poem  was  probably  Norse,  and  not  German  like  the 
only  existing  manuscript,  for  there  is  an  undoubted  parallel  to 
the  story  of  the  kidnaping  of  Hilde  in  the  Edda.  In  the  Edda, 
Hilde,  the  daughter  of  Hogni,  escapes  from  home  with  her  lover 
Hedin,  and  is  pursued  by  her  irate  father.  He  overtakes  the 
fugitives  on  an  island,  where  a  bloody  conflict  takes  place,  in 
which  many  of  the  bravest  warriors  die.  Every  night,  however, 
a  sorceress  recalls  the  dead  to  life  to  renew  the  strife,  and  to 
exterminate  one  another  afresh. 

The  poem  "  Gudrun,"  which  is  probably  as  old  as  the  Nibe- 
lungenlied, and  almost  rivals  it  in  interest,  is  one  of  the  most  valu- 

22 


GUDRUN.  23 

able  remains  of  ancient  German  literature.  It  consists  of  thirty- 
two  songs,  in  which  are  related  the  adventures  of  three  genera- 
tions of  the  heroic  family  of  the  Hegelings.  Hence  it  is  often 
termed  the  "  Hegeling  Legend." 

The  poem  opens  by  telhng  us  that  Hagen  was  the  son  of  Sige- 
band,  King  of  Ireland,  which  was  evidently  a  place  in  Holland, 
and  not  the  well-known  Emerald  Isle.  During  a  Kidnaping 
great  feast,  when  countless  guests  were  assembled  °^  Hagen. 
around  his  father's  hospitable  board,  this  prince,  who  was  then 
but  seven  years  of  age,  was  seized  by  a  griffin  and  rapidly  borne 
away. 

"Young  Hagen,  loudly  crying,  was  filled  with  dire  dismay; 
The  bird  with  mighty  pinions  soared  high  with  him  away." 

Gudrun  (Dippold's  tr. ). 

The  cries  of  the  child,  and  the  arrows  of  Sigeband's  men  at  arms, 
were  equally  ineffectual  in  checking  the  griffin,  which  flew  over 
land  and  sea,  and  finally  deposited  its  prey  in  its  nest  on  the  top 
of  a  great  cliff  on  a  desert  island.  One  of  the  httle  griffins,  wish- 
ing to  reserve  this  dehcate  morsel  for  its  own  delectation,  caught 
the  boy  up  in  its  talons  and  flew  away  to  a  neighboring  tree.  The 
branch  upon  which  it  perched  was  too  weak  to  support  a  double 
load,  however,  and  as  it  broke  the  frightened  griffin  dropped  Ha- 
gen into  a  thicket.  Undismayed  by  the  sharp  thorns,  Hagen 
quickly  crept  out  of  the  griffin's  reach  and  took  refuge  in  a  cave, 
where  he  found  three  little  girls  who  had  escaped  from  the  griffins 
in  the  same  way. 

One  of  these  children  was  Hilde,  an  Indian  princess ;  the 
second,  Hildburg,  daughter  of  the  King  of  Portugal ;  and  the  third 
belonged  to  the  royal  family  of  Isenland.  Hagen  xhe  three 
immediately  became  the  protector  of  these  little  maidens, 
maidens,  spending  several  years  in  the  cave  with  them.  He 
ventured  out  only  when  the  griffins  were  away,  to  seek  berries 
or  shoot  small  game  with  a  bow  which  he  had  made  in  imitation 
of  those  he  had  seen  in  his  father's  hall. 


24  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

Years  passed  by  before  Hagen  found  the  corpse  of  an  armed 
warrior,  which  had  been  washed  ashore  during  a  storm.  To  ap- 
propriate the  armor  and  weapons  for  which  he  had  so  long  and 
vainly  sighed  was  the  youth's  first  impulse ;  his  second  was  to 
go  forth  and  slay  the  griffins  which  had  terrorized  him  and  his 
little  companions  for  so  many  years.  The  griffins  being  dis- 
posed of,  the  young  people  roamed  about  the  island  at  will,  keep- 
ing a  sharp  lookout  for  any  passing  vessel  which  might  convey 
them  home.  At  last  a  sail  came  in  sight!  Hagen,  the  first 
to  see  it,  chmbed  up  on  a  rock  and  shouted  with  all  his  young 
strength  to  attract  the  crew's  attention. 

"  With  might  young  Hagen  shouted,  and  did  not  cease  to  shout, 
Howe'er  the  roaring  tempest  the  wild  waves  tossed  about." 

Gudnai  (Dippold's  tr.). 

The  sailors  reluctantly  drew  near,  gazing  fearfully  upon  the 
three  maidens,  who,  clad  in  furs  and  moss,  resembled  mermaids 
or  wood  nymphs.  But  when  they  heard  their  story  they  gladly 
took  them  on  board.  It  was  only  when  the  island  was  out  of 
sight,  and  when  they  were  in  mid-ocean,  that  Hagen  discovered 
that  he  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  Count  Garadie,  his  father's 
inveterate  enemy,  who  now  proposed  to  use  his  power  to  treat  the 
young  prince  as  a  slave.  But  Hagen's  rude  fare,  and  the  con- 
stant exposure  of  the  past  few  years,  had  so  developed  his  strength 
and  courage  that  he  now  flew  into  a  Berserker  rage,^  flung  thirty 
men  one  after  another  into  the  sea,  and  so  terrified  his  would-be 
master  that  he  promised  to  bear  him  and  the  three  maidens  in 
safety  to  liis  father's  court. 

As  Sigeband  had  died  without  leaving  any  other  heir,  Hagen 

was  warmly  welcomed  home,  and  ascending  the  vacant  throne, 

Hagen  made     1^^  took  to  wife  Hilde,  the  fair  maiden  with  whom 

king.  lie  }ia^(]  shared  his  game  and  berries  for  so  many 

years.     The  royal  couple  were  very  happy,  and  Hagen  ruled  so 

wisely  that  he  became  a  terror  to  his  enemies  and  a  blessing  to 

1  See  Gucrbcr's  Myths  of  Northern  Lands,  p.  29. 


GUDRUN.  25 

his  own  subjects.  Even  when  engaged  in  warfare  he  proved  him- 
self an  upright  and  generous  man,  never  attacking  the  poor  and 
weak. 

"  On  warlike  enterprises  into  his  enemies'  land 
He  spared  the  poor  from  ravage  of  fire  with  powerful  hand ; 
Whenever  he  encountered  a  warrior  overbearing, 
He  broke  his  burgs  and  slew  him  with  dire  revenge  unsparing." 

Gminin  (Dippold's  tr. ). 

Hagen  and  Hilde  eventually  became  the  parents  of  an  only 
daughter,  who  was  called  by  her  mother's  name,  and  grew  up  so 
beautiful  that  many  suitors  soon  came  to  Ireland 

Hilda's  suitors. 

to  ask  for  her  hand.     Hagen,  who  loved  his  daugh- 
ter dearly  and  was  in  no  haste  to  part  from  her,  first  replied  that 
she  was  far  too  young  to  think  of  marriage ;  but  when  this  plea 
was  disputed  he  declared  that  Hilde  should  only  marry  a  man 
who  would  defeat  her  father  in  single  fight. 

As  Hagen  was  unusually  tall  and  strong,  as  well  as  uncom- 
monly brave,  he  was  considered  well-nigh  invincible.  The  suit- 
ors, dismayed  at  this  declaration,  reluctantly  withdrew,  even 
though  they  were  all  valiant  men.  In  those  days  Hettel  (who 
corresponds  to  Hedin  in  the  Edda  story)  was  king  of  northern 
Germany  and  of  the  Hegelings.  He  too  heard  marvelous  ac- 
counts of  Hilde's  beauty,  and,  as  he  was  still  unmarried,  longed 
to  secure  her  as  wife.  But  knowing  that  Hagen,  in  his  anger, 
was  likely  to  slay  any  ambassador  who  came  to  his  court  with  a 
proposal  of  marriage,  Hettel  vowed  that  he  would  rather  forego 
the  alliance  than  run  the  risk  of  losing  any  of  his  tried  friends  and 
faithful  servants. 

"  Then  said  the  royal  Hetel :    'The  people  all  relate 
That  whosoe'er  will  woo  her  incurs  her  father's  hate. 
And  for  the  maid  has  perished  full  many  a  noble  knight; 
My  friends  shall  never  suffer  for  me  such  woeful  plight.'  " 

Guihitu  (Dippold's  tr.). 

His  faithful  followers,  Wat,  Horant,  and  Frute,  perceiving  diat 
his  heart  was  set  upon  the  maiden,  finally  volunteered  to  go  and 


2  6  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

get  her,  saying  that  they  could  easily  bear  her  away  by  stratagem, 

although  they  did  not  dare  to  ask  for  her  openly.    So  they  loaded 

.     their  vessel  with  merchandise,  hid  their  weapons, 

Strategy  of  ,  r  i  i  i 

Hettei's        so  that  they  should  be  taken  for  the  traders  they 

fouowers.       professed  to  be,  and  sailed  boldly  into   Hagen's 

port,  where,  spreading  out  their  wares,  they  invited  all  the  people 

to  buy. 

Attracted  by  the  extraordinary  bargains  they  offered,  the  peo- 
ple came  in  crowds,  and  soon  all  the  inhabitants  of  Balian  were 
busy  talking  about  the  strange  peddlers  and  praising  their  wares. 
These  stories  soon  came  to  the  ears  of  both  queen  and  princess, 
who,  summoning  the  merchants  into  their  presence,  asked  who 
they  were  and  whence  they  came. 

All  three  replied  that  they  were  warriors,  and  that,  being  ban- 
ished from  Hettei's  court,  they  had  been  forced  to  take  up  their 
present  occupation  to  make  a  living.  To  prove  the  truth  of  their 
assertions,  Wat  exhibited  his  skill  in  athletic  sports,  while  Horant 
delighted  all  the  ladies  by  his  proficiency  in  the  art  of  minstrelsy. 

"  When  now  the  night  was  ended  and  there  drew  near  the  dawn, 
Horant  began  his  singing,  so  that  in  grove  and  lawn 
The  birds  became  all  silent,  because  he  sang  so  sweetly ; 
The  people  who  were  sleeping  sprang  from  their  couches  fleetly. 

"  The  cattle  in  the  forests  forsook  their  pasture  ground; 
The  creeping  creatures  playing  among  the  grass  around. 
The  fishes  in  the  water, —  all  in  their  sports  were  ceasing. 
The  minstrel  might  most  truly  rejoice  in  art  so  pleasing. 

"  Whate'er  he  might  be  singing,  to  no  one  seemed  it  long; 
Forgotten  in  the  minster  were  priest  and  choral  song, 
Church  bells  no  longer  sounded  so  sweetly  as  before, 
And  every  one  who  heard  him  longed  for  the  minstrel  sore." 

Gudrnn  (Dippold's  tr.). 

These  soft  strains  so  pleased  the  younger  Hilde  that  she  soon 
sent  for  the  minstrel  again,  and  Horant,  finding  her  alone,  made 
use  of  this  opportunity  to  tell  her  of  Hettei's  love  and  longing. 


GUDRUN.  27 

She  was  so  touched  by  this  declaration  of  love  that  he  easily  won 
from  her  a  promise  to  flee  with  him  and  his  companions  as  soon 
as  a  suitable  opportunity  occurred. 

The  pretended  merchants,  having  now  achieved  the  real  object 
of  their  journey,  disposed  of  their  remaining  wares.  They  then  in- 
vited the  king  and  his  family  to  visit  their  ship,  and  cleverly  man- 
aging to  separate  the  willing  princess  from  her  parents  and  train, 
they  sailed  rapidly  away,  leaving  the  angry  father  to  hurl  equally 
ineffectual  spears,  curses,  and  threats  after  them. 

The  Hegelings  sailed  with  their  prize  direct  to  Waleis,  in  Hol- 
land (near  the  river  Waal),  where  the  impatient  Hettel  came  to 
meet  them,  and  tenderly  embraced  his  beautiful      ..     .        , 

'  J  marriage  01 

young  bride.     There  their  hasty  nuptials  were  cele-      Hettei  and 
brated  ;  but,  as  they  were  about  to  sail  away  on  the  '   ^' 

morrow,  Hettel  became  aware  of  the  rapid  approach  of  a  large 
fleet.  Of  course  the  foremost  vessel  was  commanded  by  Hagen, 
who  had  immediately  started  out  in  pursuit  of  his  kidnaped  daugh- 
ter. Landing  with  all  his  forces,  he  challenged  his  new-made 
son-in-law  to  fight. 

"  King  Hagen,  full  of  anger,  leaped  forward  in  the  sea. 
Unto  the  shore  he  waded ;  no  braver  knight  than  he  ! 
Full  many  pointed  arrows  against  him  were  seen  flying, 
Like  flakes  of  snow,  from  warriors  of  Hetel's  host  defying." 

Giidrini  (Dippold's  tr.). 

The  result  of  this  battle  was  that  Hettel  was  wounded  by  Hagen, 
who,  in  his  turn,  was  injured  by  Wat,  and  that  the  distracted 
Hilde  suddenly  flung  herself  between  the  contending  parties,  and 
by  her  tears  and  prayers  soon  brought  about  a  reconciliation. 
Hagen,  who  had  tested  the  courage  of  his  new  son-in-law  and  had 
not  found  it  wanting,  now  permitted  his  daughter  to  accompany 
her  husband  home  to  Matelan,  where  she  became  the  mother  of 
a  son,  Ortwine,  and  of  a  daughter,  Gudrun,  who  was  even  fairer 
than  herself. 

Ortwine  was  fostered  by  Wat,  the  dauntless  hero,  who  taught 


2  8  LEGENDS   OF    THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

him  to  fight  with  consummate  skill ;  while  Hilde  herself  presided 
over  the  education  of  Gudrun,  and  made  her  so  charming  that 
Gudrun's  many  suitors  soon  came,  hoping  to  find  favor  in 
suitors.  i^gj-  eyes.  These  were  Siegfried,  King  of  Moor- 
land, a  pagan  of  dark  complexion ;  Hartmut,  son  of  Ludwig, 
King  of  Normandy ;  and,  lastly,  Herwig  of  Zealand.  Although 
the  latter  fancied  that  he  had  won  some  favor  in  the  fair  Gudrun's 
sight,  Hettel  dismissed  him  as  well  as  the  others,  with  the  answer 
that  his  daughter  was  yet  too  young  to  leave  the  parental  roof. 

Herwig,  who  was  not  ready  to  give  the  maiden  up,  then  re- 
membered that  Hettel  had  won  his  own  bride  only  after  he  had 
measured  his  strength  with  her  father's ;  so  he  collected  an  army, 
invaded  Matelan,  and  proved  his  courage  by  encountering  Hettel 
himself  in  the  fray.  Gudrun,  who  stood  watching  the  battle  from 
the  palace  window,  seeing  them  face  to  face,  loudly  implored 
them  to  spare  each  other,  an  entreaty  to  which  they  both  lent  a 
willing  ear. 

"  Fair  Gudrun  saw  the  combat,  and  heard  the  martial  sound. 
Like  to  a  ball  is  fortune,  and  ever  turns  around. 

"  Then  from  the  castle  chamber  the  royal  maid  cried  out: 
'  King  Hetel,  noble  father,  tlie  blood  flows  all  about 
Athwart  the  mighty  hauberks.     With  gore  from  warlike  labor 
The  walls  are  sprinkled.     Herwig  is  a  most  dreadful  neighbor.'" 

Gudrun  (Dippold's  tr.). 

Herwig  had  in  this  encounter  proved  himself  no  despicable  foe  ; 
so  Hettel,  preferring  to  have  him  as  a  friend,  no  longer  opposed 
his  betrothal,  but  even  promised  that  the  wedding  festivities 
should  be  celebrated  within  a  year.  Herwig  tarried  in  Matelan 
with  his  betrothed  until  he  heard  that  Siegfried,  King  of  Moor- 
land, jealous  of  his  successful  wooing  of  Gudrun,  had  invaded 
his  kingdom  and  was  raiding  his  unprotected  lands. 

These  tidings  caused  the  brave  young  warrior  to  bid  Gudrun 
a  hasty  farewell  and  sail  home  as  quickly  as  possible,  Hettel 
promising  to  follow  him  soon  and  help  him  repel  the  invaders, 


GUDRUN.  29 

who  were  far  superior  in  number  to  his  small  but  oft-tried  host. 
While  Herwig  and  Hettel  were  thus  occupied  in  warring  against 
one  of  the  disappointed  suitors,  Hartmut,  the  other,      Qudrun  kid 
hearing  that  they  were  both  away,  invaded  Matelan       naped  by 
and  carried  off  Gudrun  and  all  her  attendants  to       Hartmut. 
Normandy.     He  paused  only  once  on  his  way  thither  to  rest  for 
a  short  time  on  an  island  called  Wulpensand,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Scheldt. 

The  bereaved  Hilde,  who  had  seen  her  beloved  daughter  thus 
carried  away,  promptly  sent  messengers  to  warn  Hettel  and  Her- 
wig of  Gudrun's  capture.  These  tidings  put  an  immediate  stop 
to  their  warfare  with  Siegfried,  who,  joining  forces  with  them, 
sailed  in  pursuit  of  the  Normans  in  the  vessels  of  a  party  of  pil- 
grims, for  they  had  none  of  their  own  ready  for  instant  departure. 

Hettel,  Herwig,  and  Siegfried  reached  Wulpensand  before  the 
Normans  had  left  it,  and  there  took  place  a  frightful  conflict,  in 
the  course  of  which  King  Ludwig  slew  the  aged  xhe  wuipen- 
Hettel.  The  conflict  raged  until  nightfall,  and  al-  ^^^^  ba"^^• 
though  there  were  now  but  few  Hegehngs  left,  they  were  all  ready 
to  renew  the  struggle  on  the  morrow.  What  was  not  their  chagrin, 
therefore,  on  discovering  that  the  Normans  had  sailed  away  with 
their  captives  during  the  night,  and  were  already  out  of  sight  ! 

It  was  useless  to  pursue  them  with  so  small  an  army ;  so  the 
Hegelings  sorrowfully  returned  home,  bearing  Hettel's  Hfeless 
body  back  to  the  disconsolate  Hilde.  Then  they  took  counsel, 
and  discovered  that  so  many  able  fighting  men  had  perished  dur- 
ing the  last  war  that  they  would  be  obliged  to  wait  until  the  ris- 
ing generation  was  able  to  bear  arms  before  they  could  invade 
Normandy  with  any  hope  of  success. 

"  Then  spoke  old  Wat,  the  hero  :    '  It  never  can  befall 
Before  this  country's  children  have  grown  to  manhood  all.'  " 

Gudrun  (Dippold's  tr. ). 

Gudrun,  in  the  mean  while,  had  arrived  in  Normandy,  where 
she  persisted  in  refusing  to  marry  Hartmut.    On  her  way  thither 


30  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

the  haughty  princess  had  even  ventured  to  remind  King  Ludwig 
that  he  had  once  been  her  father's  vassal,  and  so  roused  his  anger 
that  he  threw  her  overboard.  But  Hartmut  immediately  plunged 
into  the  water  after  her,  rescued  her  from  drowning,  and  when  he 
had  again  seen  her  safe  in  the  boat,  angrily  reproved  his  father 
for  his  hasty  conduct. 

"  He  said :  '  Why  would  you  drown  her  who  is  to  be  my  wife, 
The  fair  and  charming  Gudrun  ?     I  love  her  as  my  life. 
Another  than  my  father,  if  he  had  shown  such  daring, 
Would  lose  his  life  and  honor  from  wrath  of  mine  unsparing.'  " 

Giidrjt7i  (Dippold's  tr.). 

After  this  declaration  on  the  part  of  the  young  heir,  none 
dared  at  first  treat  Gudrun  with  any  disrespect ;  and  Gerhnda  and 

Gudrun  a       Ortrun,  the  mother  and  sister  of   Hartmut,  wel- 

captive.  comed  her  as  she  landed  on  their  shores.  Ger- 
linda's  friendliness  was  a  mere  pretense,  however,  for  she  hated 
the  proud  maiden  who  scorned  her  son's  proffered  love.  She 
therefore  soon  persuaded  her  son  to  give  the  gentle  captive  entirely 
into  her  charge,  saying  that  she  would  make  her  consent  to  be- 
come his  bride.  Hartmut,  who  was  about  to  depart  for  the  war, 
and  who  little  suspected  his  mother's  cruel  intentions,  bade  her 
do  as  she  pleased  ;  and  he  was  no  sooner  out  of  sight  than  poor 
Gudrun  was  degraded  to  the  rank  of  a  servant,  and  treated  with 
much  harshness  and  often  with  actual  violence. 

During  three  whole  years  Gudrun  endured  this  cruelty  in 
silence ;  but  when  Hartmut  returned  she  was  restored  to  her 
former  state,  although  she  still  persisted  in  refusing  his  passionate 
suit.  Discouraged  by  her  obstinacy,  the  young  man  weakly  con- 
sented to  abandon  her  again  to  Gerlinda's  tender  mercies.  The 
princess  was  now  made  to  labor  harder  than  ever,  and  she  and 
Hildburg,  her  favorite  companion  and  fellow  captive,  were  daily 
sent  down  to  the  shore  to  wash  the  royal  linen. 

It  was  winter,  the  snow  lay  thick  on  the  ground,  and  Gudrun 
and  her  companion,  barefooted  and  miserably  clad,  suffered  un- 


s 


GUDRUN     AM)     ))1K     ^\V  AN. —Kepler. 


(/,.,.  ,.,  31. 


GUDRUN.  31 

told  agonies  from  the  cold.  Besides,  they  were  nearly  ex- 
hausted, and  the  hope  of  rescue,  which  had  sustained  them  dur- 
ing the  past  twelve  years,  had  almost  forsaken  them.  I'heir 
dehverance  was  near,  however,  and  while  Gudrun  was  washing 
on  the  shore,  a  mermaid,  in  the  guise  of  a  swan,  came  gently  near 
her,  and  bade  her  be  of  good  cheer,  for  her  sufferings  would  soon 
be  at  an  end. 

"  '  Rejoice  in  hope,'  then  answered  the  messenger  divine; 

'  Thou  poor  and  homeless  maiden,  great  joy  shall  yet  be  thine. 

If  thou  wilt  ask  for  tidings  from  thy  dear  native  land, 

To  comfort  thee,  great  Heaven  has  sent  me  to  this  strand.'" 

Gudrnn  (Dippold's  tr.). 

The  swan  maiden  then  informed  her  that  her  brother  Ortwine 
had  grown  up,  and  that  he  would  soon  come  with  brave  old  Wat 
and  the  longing  Herwig  to  deliver  her. 

The  next  day,  in  spite  of  the  increased  cold,  Gerlinda  again 
roughly  bade  the  maidens  go  down  to  the  shore  and  wash,  refus- 
ing to  allow  them  any  covering  except  one  rough  linen  garment. 

"  They  then  took  up  the  garments  and  went  upon  their  way. 
'  May  God  let  me,'  said  Gudrun,  '  remind  you  of  this  day.' 
With  naked  feet  they  waded  there  through  the  ice  and  snow : 
The  noble  maids,  all  homeless,  were  filled  with  pain  and  woe." 

Gudrun  (Dippold's  tr.). 

Gudrun  and  Hildburg  had  barely  begun  their  usual  task,  how- 
ever, ere  a  small  boat  drew  near,  in  which  they  recognized  Her- 
wig and  Ortwine.  All  unconscious  of  their  identity  Gudrun's 
at  first,  the  young  men  inquired  about  Gudrun.  She  deliverance, 
herself,  to  test  their  affection,  replied  that  the  princess  was  dead, 
and  did  not  allow  them  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  her  face  until  she 
beheld  Herwig's  emotion  at  these  tidings,  and  heard  him  protest 
that  he  would  be  faithful  to  her  unto  death. 

"  There  spoke  the  royal  Herwig:    '  As  long  as  lasts  my  life, 
I'll  mourn  for  her;  the  maiden  was  to  become  my  wife.'  " 

Gudrtiti  (Dippold's  tr.). 


32  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

The  lovers,  who  had  been  equally  true,  now  fell  into  each 
other's  arms.  Ortwine  was  overjoyed  at  finding  his  sister  and  her 
companion,  having  long  secretly  loved  the  latter,  so  he  poured 
out  an  avowal  of  his  passion,  and  won  from  Hildburg  a  promise 
to  be  his  wife.  The  first  moments  of  joyful  reunion  over,  Hervvig 
would  fain  have  carried  Gudrun  and  Hildburg  back  to  camp  with 
him ;  but  Ortwine  proudly  declared  that  he  had  come  to  claim 
them  openly,  and  would  bear  them  away  from  Normandy  hon- 
orably, in  the  guise  of  princesses,  rather  than  by  stealth. 

Promising  to  rescue  them  on  the  morrow,  the  young  men  took 
leave  of  the  maidens.  Hildburg  conscientiously  finished  her  task, 
but  Gudrun  proudly  flung  the  linen  into  the  sea  and  returned  to 
the  palace  empty-handed,  saying  that  it  did  not  become  her  to  do 
any  more  menial  labor,  since  she  had  been  kissed  by  two  kings. 
Gerlinda,  hearing  her  confess  that  she  had  flung  the  linen  into  the 
sea,  ordered  her  to  be  scourged ;  but  when  Gudrun  turned  upon 
her  and  proudly  announced  that  she  would  take  her  revenge  on  the 
morrow,  when  she  would  preside  over  the  banquet  hall  as  queen, 
Gerlinda  concluded  that  she  had  decided  to  accept  Hartmut. 

The  mother,  therefore,  flew  to  him  to  impart  the  joyful  tidings. 
In  his  dehght  he  would  fain  have  embraced  Gudrun,  who,  however, 
haughtily  bade  him  refrain  from  saluting  a  mere  washerwoman. 
Becoming  aware  only  then  of  her  sorry  plight,  the  prince  with- 
drew, sternly  ordering  that  her  maidens  should  again  be  restored 
to  her,  that  her  every  command  should  be  fulfilled  as  if  she  were 
already  queen,  and  that  all  should  treat  her  with  the  utmost  re- 
spect. These  orders  were  executed  without  delay,  and  while 
Hartmut  was  preparing  for  his  wedding  on  the  morrow,  Gudrun, 
again  clad  in  royal  attire,  with  her  maidens  around  her,  whispered 
the  tidings  of  their  coming  deliverance.  Morning  had  barely 
dawned  when  Hildburg,  gazing  out  of  the  window,  saw  the 
castle  entirely  surrounded  by  the  Hegelings'  forces  ;  and  at  cock- 
crow old  Wat's  horn  pealed  fortli  a  loud  defiance,  rousing  the 
Normans  from  pleasant  dreams,  and  calling  them  to  battle  instead 
of  to  the  anticipated  wedding. 


GUDRUN.  Z2> 

"  The  morning  star  had  risen  upon  the  heavens  high, 
When  to  the  castle  window  a  beauteous  maid  drew  nigh, 
In  order  to  espy  there  and  watch  the  break  of  day. 
Whereby  from  royal  Gudrun  she  would  obtain  rich  pay. 

"  There  looked  the  noble  maiden  and  saw  the  morning  glow. 
Reflected  in  the  water,  as  it  might  well  be  so. 
Were  seen  the  shining  helmets  and  many  bucklers  beaming. 
The  castle  was  surrounded;  with  arms  the  fields  were  gleaming." 

Guih-iin  (Dippold's  tr.). 

The  battle  was  very  fierce,  and  the  poem  enumerates  many  of 
the  cuts  and  thrusts  given  and  received.  Clashing  swords  and 
streams  of  gore  now  monopolize  the  reader's  attention.  In  the 
fray  Herwig  slew  King  Ludwig.  Gudrun  was  rescued  by  Hart- 
mut  from  the  hands  of  Gerlinda,  who  had  just  bidden  her  servants 
put  her  to  death,  so  that  her  friends  should  not  take  her  alive. 
Next  the  Norman  prince  met  his  rival  and  fought  bravely.  He 
was  about  to  succumb,  however,  when  his  sister  Ortrun,  who 
throughout  had  been  gentle  and  loving  to  Gudrun,  implored  her 
to  save  her  brother's  hfe.  Gudrun,  touched  by  this  request, 
called  out  of  the  casement  to  Herwig,  who,  at  a  word  from  her, 
sheathed  his  sword,  and  contented  himself  with  taking  Hartmut 
prisoner. 

The  casde  was  duly  plundered,  the  whole  town  sacked,  and 
Wat,  bursting  into  the  palace,  began  to  slay  all  he  met.  The 
women,  in  terror,  then  crowded  around  Gudrun,  Death  of 
imploring  her  protection.  Among  these  were  Or-  Gerlinda. 
trim  and  Gerlinda ;  but  while  Gudrun  would  have  protected  the 
former  at  the  cost  of  her  life,  she  allowed  Wat  to  kill  the  latter, 
who  had  deserved  such  a  death  in  punishment  for  all  her  cruelty. 

■When  the  massacre  was  over,  the  victors  celebrated  their  tri- 
umph by  a  grand  banquet,  at  which  Gudrun,  fulfilling  her  boast, 
actually  presided  as  queen. 

"  Now  from  the  bitter  contest  the  warriors  rested  all. 
There  came  the  royal  Herwig  into  King  Ludwig's  hall, 

3 


34  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Together  with  his  champions,  their  gear  with  blood  yet  streaming. 
Dame  Gudrun  well  received  him  ;  her  heart  with  love  was  teeming." 

Gudrun  (Dippold's  tr.). 

When  the  banquet  was  over,  the  Hegelings  set  sail,  taking 
with  them  the  recovered  maidens,  all  the  spoil  they  had  won,  and 
their  captives,  Hartmut  and  Ortrun  ;  and  on  reaching  Matelan 
they  were  warmly  welcomed  by  Hilde,  who  was  especially  re- 
joiced to  see  her  daughter  once  more. 

"The  queen  drew  near  to  Gudrun.     Could  any  one  outweigh 
The  joy  they  felt  together,  with  any  wealth  or  treasure  ? 
When  they  had  kissed  each  other  their  grief  was  changed  to  pleasure." 

Gtidnin  (Dippold's  tr.). 

Shortly  after  their  return  home  a  fourfold  wedding  took  place. 
Gudrun  married  her  faithful  Herwig,  Ortwine  espoused  Hildburg, 

A  fourfold       Siegfried  consoled  himself  for  Gudrun's  loss  by  tak- 

wedding.  jj^g  ^^q  fa^jj-  Qrtruu  to  wifc,  and  Hartmut  received 
with  the  hand  of  Hergart,  Herwig's  sister,  the  restitution  not  only 
of  his  freedom  but  also  of  his  kingdom. 

At  the  wedding  banquet  Horant,  who,  in  spite  of  his  advanced 
years,  had  lost  none  of  his  musical  skill,  played  the  wedding 
march  with  such  success  that  the  queens  simultaneously  flung 
their  crowns  at  his  feet, — an  offering  which  he  smilingly  refused, 
telling  them  that  crowns  were  perishable,  but  that  the  poet's  song 
was  immortal. 

"  The  aged  minstrel  drew  his  harp  still  closer  to  his  breast, 
Gazed  at  the  jeweled  coronets  as  this  thought  he  expressed : 
'  Fair  queens,  I  bid  you  wear  them  until  your  locks  turn  gray ; 
Those  crowns,  alas  !  are  fleeting,  but  song  will  live  alway,'  " 

NiENDORF  (H.  A.  G.'s  tr.). 


CHAPTER    III. 


REYNARD    THE    FOX. 


Among  primitive  races,  as  with  children,  animal  stories  are  much 
enjoyed,  and  form  one  of  the  first  stages  in  literature.  The  old- 
est of  these  tales  current  in  the  middle  ages  is  the  epic  of  Reineke 
Fuchs,  or  Reynard  the  Fox.  This  poem  was  carried  by  the  ancient 
Franks  across  the  Rhine,  became  fully  acclimated  in  France, 
and  then  retiurned  to  Germany  by  way  of  Flanders,  where  it  was 
localized. 

After  circulating  from  mouth  to  mouth  almost  all  over  Europe, 
during  many  centuries,  it  was  first  committed  to  writing  in  the 
Netherlands,  where  the  earliest  manuscript,  dating  from  the 
eleventh  or  twelfth  century,  gives  a  Latin  version  of  the  tale. 

"  The  root  of  this  saga  lies  in  the  harmless  natural  simplicity 
of  a  primeval  people.  We  see  described  the  delight  which  the 
rude  child  of  nature  takes  in  all  animals,— in  their  origin  of 
slim  forms,  their  gleaming  eyes,  their  fierceness,  ammai  epics, 
their  nimbleness  and  cunning.  Such  sagas  would  naturally  have 
their  origin  in  an  age  when  the  ideas  of  shepherd  and  hunter 
occupied  a  great  portion  of  the  intellectual  horizon  of  the  people  ; 
when  the  herdman  saw  in  the  ravenous  bear  one  who  was  his 
equal,  and  more  than  his  equal,  in  force  and  adroitness,  the  cham- 
pion of  the  woods  and  wilds;  when  the  hunter,  in  his  lonely 
ramble  through  the  depths  of  the  forest,  beheld  in  the  hoary 
wolf  and  red  fox,  as  they  stole  along,— hunters  like  himself,— 
mates,  so  to  say,  and  companions,  and  whom  he  therefore  ad- 
dressed as  such.  ...  So  that  originally  this  kind  of  poetry  was 

35 


36  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

the  exponent  of  a  peculiar  sort  of  feeling  prevailing  among  the 
people,  and  had  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  the  didactic  or 
satiric,  although  at  a  later  period  satiric  allusions  began  to  be 
interwoven  with  it." 

The  story  has  been  rewritten  by  many  poets  and  prose  writers. 
It  has  been  translated  into  almost  every  European  language,  and 
was  remodeled  from  one  of  the  old  mediaeval  poems  by  Goethe, 
who  has  given  it  the  form  in  which  it  will  doubtless  henceforth 
be  known.  His  poem  "  Reineke  Fuchs  "  has  been  commented 
upon  by  Carlyle  and  translated  by  Rogers,  from  whose  version 
all  the  following  quotations  have  been  extracted. 

As  was  the  custom  among  the  Franks  under  their  old  Mero- 
vingian rulers,  the  animals  all  assembled  at  Whitsuntide  around 
The  animals'     their  king,  Nobel  the  lion,  who  ruled  over  all  the 

assembly.  forest.  This  assembly,  like  the  Champ  de  Mars, 
its  prototype,  was  convened  not  only  for  the  purpose  of  deciding 
upon  the  undertakings  for  the  following  year,  but  also  as  a  special 
tribunal,  where  all  accusations  were  made,  all  complaints  heard, 
and  justice  meted  out  to  all.  The  animals  were  all  present,  all  ex- 
cept Reynard  the  fox,  who,  it  soon  became  apparent,  was  accused 
of  many  a  dark  deed.  Every  beast  present  testified  to  some  crime 
committed  by  him,  and  all  accused  him  loudly  except  his  nephew, 
Grimbart  the  badger. 

''  And  yet  there  was  one  who  was  absent, 
Reineke  Fox,  the  rascal !  who,  deeply  given  to  mischief, 
Held  aloof  from  half  the  Court.     As  shuns  a  bad  conscience 
Light  and  day,  so  the  fox  fought  shy  of  the  nobles  assembled. 
One  and  all  had  complaints  to  make,  he  had  all  of  them  injured; 
Grimbart  the  badger,  his  brother's  son,  alone  was  excepted." 

The  complaint  was  voiced  by  Isegrim  the  wolf,  who  told  with 

much  feeling  how  cruelly  Reynard  had  blinded  three  of  his  be- 

Compiaints      loved  children,  and  how  shamefully  he  had  insulted 

against 

Reynard.       his  Wife,  the  fair  lady  Gieremund.    This  accusation 
had  no  sooner  been  formulated  than  Wackerlos  the  dog  came 


REYNARD    THE   FOX.  37 

forward,  and,  speaking  French,  pathetically  described  the  finding 
of  a  little  sausage  in  a  thicket,  and  its  purloining  by  Reynard,  who 
seemed  to  have  no  regard  whatever  for  his  famished  condition. 

The  tomcat  Hintze,  who  at  the  mere  mention  of  a  sausage 
had  listened  more  attentively,  now  angrily  cried  out  that  the 
sausage  which  Wackerlos  had  lost  belonged  by  right  to  him,  as 
he  had  concealed  it  in  the  thicket  after  stealing  it  from  the  mil- 
ler's wife.  He  added  that  he  too  had  had  much  to  suffer  from 
Reynard,  and  was  supported  by  the  panther,  who  described  how 
he  had  once  found  the  miscreant  cruelly  beating  poor  Lampe 

the  hare. 

'*  Lampe  he  held  by  the  collar, 

Yes,  and  had  certainly  taken  his  life,  if  I  by  good  fortune 

Had  not  happened  to  pass  by  the  road.     There  standing  you  see  him. 

Look  and  see  the  wounds  of  the  gentle  creature,  whom  no  one 

Ever  would  think  of  ill  treating." 

The  king,  Nobel,  was  beginning  to  look  very  stern  as  one  after 
another  rose  to  accuse  the  absent  Reynard,  when  Grimbart  the 
badger  courageously  began  to  defend  him,  and  vindication  of 
artfully  turned  the  tables  upon  the  accusers.  Tak-  Reynard, 
ing  up  their  complaints  one  by  one,  he  described  how  Reynard, 
his  uncle,  once  entered  into  partnership  with  Isegrim.  To  obtain 
some  fish  which  a  carter  was  conveying  to  market,  the  fox  had 
Uin  as  if  dead  in  the  middle  of  the  road.  He  had  been  picked 
up  by  the  man  for  the  sake  of  his  fur,  and  tossed  up  on  top  of 
the  load  of  fish.  But  no  sooner  had  the  carter's  back  been  turned 
than  the  fox  sprang  up,  threw  all  the  fish  down  into  the  road  to 
the  expectant  wolf,  and  only  sprang  down  himself  when  the  cart 
was  empty.  The  wolf,  ravenous  as  ever,  devoured  the  fish  as  fast 
as  they  were  thrown  down,  and  when  the  fox  claimed  his  share 
of  the  booty  he  had  secured,  Isegrim  gave  him  only  the  bones. ^ 

Not  content  with  cheating  his  ally  once,  the  wolf  had  induced 
the  fox  to  steal  a  suckling  pig  from  the  larder  of  a  sleeping  peas- 
ant.    With  much  exertion  the  cunning  Reynard  had  thrown  the 

1  For  Russian  version  see  Guerber's  Contes  et  Legendes,  vol.  i.,  p.  93. 


38  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE   AGES. 

prize  out  of  the  window  to  the  waiting  wolf ;  but  when  he  asked 
for  a  portion  of  ihe  meat  as  reward,  he  was  dismissed  with  noth- 
ing but  the  piece  of  wood  upon  which  it  had  been  hung. 

The  badger  further  proceeded  to  relate  that  Reynard  had 
wooed  Gieremund  seven  years  before,  when  she  was  still  un- 
mated,  and  that  if  Isegrim  chose  to  consider  that  an  insult,  it 
was  only  on  a  par  with  the  rest  of  his  accusations,  for  the  king 
could  readily  see  that  Reynard  was  sorely  injured  instead  of  being 
guilty. 

Then,  encouraged  by  the  favorable  impression  he  had  pro- 
duced, Grimbart  airily  disposed  of  the  cases  of  Wackerlos  and 
Hintze  by  proving  that  they  had  both  stolen  the  disputed  sau- 
sage, after  which  he  went  on  to  say  that  Reynard  had  undertaken 
to  instruct  Lampe  the  hare  in  psalmody,  and  that  the  ill  treatment 
which  the  panther  had  described  was  only  a  little  wholesome  cas- 
tigation  inflicted  by  the  teacher  upon  a  lazy  and  refractory  pupil. 

"  Should  not  the  master  his  pupil 
Sometimes  chastise  when  he  will  not  observe,  and  is  stubborn  in  evil? 
If  boys  were  never  punished,  were  thoughtlessness  always  passed  over, 
Were  bad  behavior  allowed,  how  would  our  juveniles  grow  up?" 

These  plausible  explanations  were  not  without  their  effect,  and 
when  Grimbart  went  on  to  declare  that,  ever  since  Nobel  pro- 
claimed a  general  truce  and  amnesty  among  all  the  animals  of 
the  forest,  Reynard  had  turned  hermit  and  spent  all  his  time  in 
fasting,  almsgiving,  and  prayer,  the  complaint  was  about  to  be 
dismissed. 

Suddenly,  however,  Henning  the  cock  appeared,  followed  by 
his  two  sons,  Kryant  and  Kantart,  bearing  the  mangled  remains 
Story  of  Hen-  of  ^  hen  upon  a  bier.  In  broken  accents  the 
ning  the  cock,  bereaved  father  related  how  happily  he  had  dwelt 
in  a  convent  henyard,  with  the  ten  sons  and  fourteen  daughters 
which  his  excellent  consort  had  hatched  and  brought  up  in  a 
single  summer.  His  only  anxiety  had  been  caused  by  the  con- 
stant prowling  of  Reynard,  who,  however,  had  been  successfully 


REYNARD    THE   FOX.  39 

kept  at  a  distance  by  the  watchdogs.  But  when  the  general  truce 
had  been  proclaimed,  the  dogs  were  dismissed.  Reynard,  in  the 
garb  of  a  monk,  had  made  his  way  into  the  henyard  to  show 
Henning  the  royal  proclamation  with  the  attached  seal,  and  to 
assure  him  of  his  altered  mode  of  living. 

Thus  reassured,  Henning  had  led  his  family  out  into  the  forest, 
where,  alas!  Reynard  was  lurking,  and  where  he  killed  all  but  five 
of  Henning's  promising  brood.  They  had  not  only  been  killed, 
but  devoured,  with  the  exception  of  Scratch-foot,  whose  mangled 
remains  were  laid  at  the  monarch's  feet  in  proof  of  the  crime,  as 
was  customary  in  the  mediaeval  courts  of  justice. 

The  king,  angry  that  his  truce  should  thus  have  been  broken, 
and  sorry  for  the  evident  grief  of  the  father,  ordered  a  sumptuous 
funeral  for  the  deceased,  and  commanded  that  a  stone  should  be 
placed  upon  her  grave,  bearing  the  epitaph : 

"  '  Scratch-foot,  daughter  of  Henning,  the  cock,  the  best  of  the  hen 

tribe. 
Many  an  egg  did  she  lay  in  her  nest,  and  was  skillful  in  scratching. 
Here  she  lies,  lost,  alas  !  to  her  friends,  by  Reineke  murdered. 
All  the  world  should  know  of  his  false  and  cruel  behavior, 
As  for  the  dead   they  lament.'     Thus   ran   the   words  that  were 

written." 

Then  the  king,  having  taken  advice  with  his  council,  solemn- 
ly bade  Brown  the  bear  proceed  immediately  to  Malepartus, 
Reynard's  home,  and  summon  him  to  appear  at  Reynard  and 
court  forthwith,  to  answer  the  grave  charges  which  "^^^  ''^*'"- 
had  been  made  against  him.  But  he  warned  his  messenger  to 
behave  circumspectly  and  to  beware  of  the  wiles  of  the  crafty 
fox.  The  bear  rather  resented  these  well-meant  recommenda- 
tions, and,  confidently  asserting  his  ability  to  take  care  of  himself, 
set  out  for  Reynard's  abode. 

On  his  way  to  the  mountains  he  was  obliged  to  pass  through 
an  arid,  sandy  waste,  and  reached  Malepartus  weary  and  over- 
heated.   Standing  before  the  fortress,  which  rejoiced  in  many  laby- 


40  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

rinthine  passages,  he  loudly  made  known  his  errand ;  and  when 
Reynard,  peeping  cautiously  out,  had  ascertained  that  Brown  was 
alone,  he  hastened  out  to  welcome  him. 

With  great  volubility  the  fox  commiserated  his  long  journey, 
and  excused  the  delay  in  admitting  him  under  plea  of  an  indis- 
position caused  by  eating  too  much  honey,  a  diet  which  he  ab- 
horred. 

At  the  mere  mention  of  honey  the  bear  forgot  all  his  fatigue, 
and  when  his  host  lamented  the  fact  that  he  had  nothing  else  to 
offer  him,  he  joyfully  declared  no  food  could  suit  him  better,  and 
that  he  could  never  get  enough  of  it. 

"  '  If  that  is  so,'  continued  the  Red  one,  '  I  really  can  serve  you, 
For  the  peasant  Riisteviel  lives  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain. 
Honey  he  has,  indeed,  such  that  you  and  all  of  your  kindred 
Never  so  much  together  have  seen,'  " 

Oblivious  of  everything  else  at  the  thought  of  siich  a  treat, 
Brown  the  bear  immediately  set  out  in  Reynard's  company,  and 
they  soon  came  to  the  peasant's  yard,  where  a  half-split  tree 
trunk  lay  in  full  view.  Reynard  then  bade  his  companion  thrust 
his  nose  well  down  into  the  hollow  and  eat  his  fill  of  honey.  As 
soon  as  he  saw  that  the  bear  had  thrust  not  only  his  nose,  but 
both  fore  paws,  into  the  crack,  Reynard  cleverly  removed  the 
wedges,  the  tree  clapped  together,  and  he  left  the  bear  a  prisoner 
and  howling  with  pain. 

These  sounds  soon  attracted  the  peasant's  attention,  and  he 
and  his  companions  all  fell  upon  the  captive  bear  with  every 
imaginable  weapon,  and  proceeded  to  give  him  a  sound  beating. 
Frantic  with  pain  and  terror,  the  unfortunate  bear  finally  suc- 
ceeded in  wrenching  himself  free,  at  the  cost  of  the  skin  on  his 
nose  and  fore  paws,  and,  after  tumbling  the  fat  cook  into  the  water, 
swam  down  the  stream  and  landed  in  a  thicket  to  bewail  his  mis- 
fortunes. Here  he  was  found  by  the  fox,  who  added  insult  to 
injury  by  making  fun  of  him,  and  reproved  him  for  his  gluttonv, 
until  the  bear  again  plunged  into  the  stream  and  swam  away. 


2^^,  y^. 


2tf4-Kt^- 


jia-Ji 


\w 


\'   '       ■■■'X-    'r  .\^Sl\ 


.1 


iOp^.p.  40.) 


BROWN    THE    BEAR    CAUGHT    IN    THE    LOG. -Wagner. 


REYNARD    THE  EOX.  ^\ 

Then,  painfully  making  his  way  back  to  Nobel,  Brown  presented 
himself  at  court  all  bleeding  and  travel-stained,  and  poured  forth 
a  doleful  account  of  his  mission. 

The  king,  after  consulting  with  his  principal  courtiers,  declared 
it  the  right  of  any  man  to  be  thrice  summoned,  and,  conceding 
that  the  bear's  manners  were  not  of  a  conciliatory     Reynard  and 
nature,  selected  Hintze  the  cat  to  bear  his  message        ^^^  "^^^• 
to  Malepartus.     The  cat,  disheartened  by  unfa\'orable  omens,  was 
nevertheless  compelled  to  go  on  this  unwelcome  journey. 

Reynard  welcomed  him  cordially,  promised  to  accompany  him 
to  court  on  the  morrow,  and  then  asked  what  kind  of  refresh- 
ment he  could  offer.  When  Hintze  had  confessed  his  preference 
for  mice,  the  fox  replied  that  it  was  very  fortunate,  as  there  were 
plenty  of  them  in  the  parson's  barn.  Hintze  immediately  asked 
to  be  led  thither,  that  he  might  eat  his  fill. 

**  '  Pray  do  me  the  kindness 
Hence  to  lead  and  show  me  the  mice,  for  far  above  wild  game 
Give  me  a  mouse  for  delicate  flavor.'  " 

Reynard  then  conducted  Hintze  to  the  parson's  barn,  and 
pointed  out  a  httle  opening  through  which  he  had  passed  to  steal 
chickens,  and  where  he  knew  that  Martin,  the  parson's  son,  had 
laid  a  trap  to  catch  any  intruder.  Hintze  at  first  demtirred,  but, 
urged  by  Reynard,  crept  in  and  found  himself  caught  in  a  noose. 
Reynard,  pretending  to  take  the  cat's  moans  for  cries  of  joy,  ban- 
teringly  inquired  whether  that  was  the  way  they  sang  at  court,  as 
the  caterwauling  grew  louder. 

These  sounds  finally  reached  the  ears  of  little  Martin,  who,  ac- 
companied by  his  father,  came  into  the  barn  to  catch  the  intruder. 
Poor  Hintze,  frightened  at  the  sight  of  the  bludgeon  the  parson 
carried,  flew  at  his  legs,  scratching  and  biting  him,  until  the  saintly 
man  fainted.  Then,  taking  advantage  of  the  confusion,  Hintze 
managed  to  slip  out  of  the  noose  and  effect  his  escape.  He  re- 
turned to  court  minus  one  eye,  and  there  poured  out  the  story  of 
his  wrongs. 


42  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

The  wrath  of  the  king  was  now  terrible  to  behold,  and  assem- 
bling his  council,  he  bade  them  decide  how  he  should  punish  the 
Reynard  and     wretch  who  had  twice  ill  treated  his  messengers. 

the  badger.  Grimbart  the  badger,  seeing  that  pubhc  opinion 
was  decidedly  against  his  relative,  now  begged  that  a  third  sum- 
mons should  be  sent,  and  offered  to  carry  the  message  himself. 
He  fiurthermore  declared  that,  even  according  to  their  own  show- 
ing, the  cat  and  bear  had  come  to  grief  through  their  greediness ; 
and  then  he  promptly  departed. 

Grimbart  found  Reynard  in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  deHvered 
his  message,  and  frankly  advised  the  fox  to  obey  the  king's  sum- 
mons and  appear  at  court,  where,  perchance,  he  might  yet  man- 
age to  save  himself ;  while  if  he  remained  at  home  the  king  would 
besiege  his  fortress  and  slay  him  and  all  his  family.  Reynard  lis- 
tened favorably  to  this  advice,  and,  after  bidding  his  wife  a  tender 
farewell,  and  committing  his  beloved  children  to  her  care,  he  set 
out  with  Grimbart  to  go  to  court. 

On  the  way  the  recollection  of  his  many  transgressions  began 
to  lie  very  heavily  upon  his  heart.  The  fear  of  death  quickened 
his  conscience,  and,  longing  to  make  his  peace  with  Heaven,  he 
expressed  a  great  wish  to  confess  his  sins  and  receive  absolution. 
As  no  priest  was  near  at  hand,  he  begged  Grimbart  the  badger 
to  listen  to  him,  and  penitently  confessed  all  the  misdeeds  we 
have  already  recounted.  He  also  added  that  he  once  bound  Ise- 
grim  to  the  rope  of  the  convent  bell  at  Elkinar,  where  his  frantic 
tugging  rang  the  bell,  until  the  monks,  crowding  around  him, 
cudgeled  him  severely.  Reynard  related,  too,  how  he  once  in- 
duced Isegrim  to  enter  the  priests'  house  through  a  window  and 
crawl  along  some  beams  in  search  of  ham  and  bacon.  As  the 
wolf  was  carefully  feeling  his  way,  however,  the  mischievous  fox 
pushed  him  and  made  him  fall  on  the  sleeping  people  below,  who, 
awakening  with  a  start,  fell  upon  him  and  beat  him.  These  and 
sundry  other  sins  having  duly  been  confessed,  the  badger  bade 
the  fox  chastise  himself  with  a  switch  plucked  from  the  hedge, 
lay  it  down  in  the  road,  jump  over  it  thrice,  and  then  meekly  kiss 


REYNARD    THE  FOX.  43 

that  rod  in  token  of  obedience.  Then  he  pronounced  Reynard 
absolved  from  his  former  sins,  and  admonished  him  to  lead  an 
altered  life  in  future. 

"  '  My  uncle,  take  care  that  your  future  amendment 
In  good  works  be  visible.     Psalms  you  should  read,  and  should  visit 
Churches  with  diligence  ;   fast  at  the  seasons  duly  appointed; 
Him  who  asks  you  point  out  the  way  to  ;   give  to  the  needy 
Willingly  ;  swear  to  forsake  all  evil  habits  of  living, 
All  kinds  of  theft  and  robbing,  deceit  and  evil  behavior. 
Thus  can  you  make  quite  sure  that  you  will  attain  unto  mercy  !  '  " 

The  fox  solemnly  promised  amendment,  and  with  sanctimonious 
mien  continued  his  journey.  But  as  he  and  the  badger  passed  a 
convent,  and  some  plump  hens  crossed  their  path,  Reynard  forgot 
all  his  promises  and  began  to  chase  the  chickens.  Sharply  re- 
called to  a  sense  of  duty  by  Grimbart,  Reynard  reluctantly  gave 
up  the  chase,  and  the  two  proceeded  without  further  drawback 
to  the  comt,  where  Reynard's  arrival  created  a  great  sensation. 

"  When  at  the  Court  it  was  known  that  Reineke  really  was  coming, 
Ev'ry  one  thronged  out  of  doors  to  see  him,  the  great  and  the  little. 
Few  with  friendly  intent ;  for  almost  all  were  complaining. 
This,  however,  in  Reineke's  mind  was  of  little  importance; 
Thus  he  pretended,  at  least,  as  he  with  Grimbart  the  badger, 
Boldly  enough  and  with  elegant  mien  now  walked  up  the  high  street. 
Jauntily  swung  he  along  at  his  ease,  as  if  he  were  truly 
Son  of  the  king,  and  free  and  quit  of  ev'ry  transgression. 
Thus  he  came  before  Nobel  the  king,  and  stood  in  the  palace 
In  the  midst  of  the  lords;  he  knew  how  to  pose  as  unruffled." 

With  consummate  skill  and  unparalleled  eloquence  and  impu- 
dence, Reynard  addressed  the  king,  lauding  himself  as  a  faithful 
servant,  and  commiserating  the  fact  that  so  many  Reynard  at 
envious  and  backbiting  people  were  ready  to  accuse  court, 
him.  Nobel  the  king,  in  whose  mind  the  recollection  of  the  treat- 
ment inflicted  upon  Brown  the  bear  and  Hintze  the  cat  was  still 
very  vivid,  answered  him  sternly,  and  told  him  that  it  would  be 


44  LEGENDS   OE   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

difficult  for  him  to  acquit  himself  of  those  two  charges,  to  say- 
nothing  of  the  many  others  brought  against  him.  Reynard,  still 
undismayed,  demanded  with  well-feigned  indignation  whether  he 
was  to  be  held  responsible  for  the  sins  of  those  messengers  whose 
misfortunes  were  attributable  to  their  gluttonous  and  thievish 
propensities  only. 

But  in  spite  of  this  specious  pleading,  all  the  other  animals 
came  crowding  around  with  so  many  grievous  charges  that  mat- 
ters began  to  look  very  dark  indeed  for  the  fox. 

Reynard  con-  °  -' 

demned  to  In  spitc  of  all  Rcyuard's  eloquence,  and  of  the 
death.  fluent  cxcuscs  cvcr  on  his  tongue,  the  council  pro- 

nounced him  guilty,  and  condemned  him  to  die  an  ignominious 
death.  Reynard's  enemies  rejoiced  at  this  sentence,  and  dragged 
him  off  with  cheerful  alacrity  to  the  gallows,  where  all  the  ani- 
mals assembled  to  witness  his  execution. 

On  the  way  to  the  place  of  punishment  Reynard  tried  to  think 
of  some  plan  by  means  of  which  he  could  save  himself  even  at 
the  eleventh  hour ;  and  knowing  that  some  scheme  would  occur 
to  him  if  he  could  only  gain  a  httle  time,  he  humbly  implored 
permission  to  make  a  public  confession  of  his  manifold  sins  ere 
he  paid  the  penalty  of  his  crimes.  Anxious  to  hear  all  he  might 
have  to  say,  the  king  granted  him  permission  to  speak ;  and  the 
fox  began  to  relate  at  length  the  story  of  his  early  and  innocent 
childhood,  his  meeting  and  alliance  with  Isegrim  the  wolf,  and 
his  gradual  induction  by  him  into  crooked  paths  and  evil  ways. 
He  told,  too,  how  the  cruel  wolf,  presuming  on  his  strength,  had 
ever  made  use  of  it  to  deprive  him,  the  fox,  of  his  rightful  share 
of  plunder ;  and  concluded  by  saying  that  he  would  often  have 
suffered  from  hunger  had  it  not  been  for  the  possession  of  a  great 
treasure  of  gold,  which  had  sufficed  for  all  his  wants. 

"  '  Thanks  be  to  God,  however,  I  never  suffered  from  hunger; 
Secretly  have  I  fed  well  by  means  of  that  excellent  treasure, 
All  of  silver  and  gold  in  a  secret  place  that  securely 
Hidden  I  keep;  with  this  I've  enough.    And,  I  say  it  in  earnest, 
Not  a  wagon  could  carry  it  ofT,  though  sevenfold  loaded.'" 


REYNARD    THE  FOX.  45 

At  the  word  "  treasure  "  Nobel  pricked  up  his  ears  and  bade 
Reynard  relate  how  this  hoard  was  obtained  and  where  it  was 
concealed.  The  artful  fox,  seeing  the  king's  evident  interest, 
rapidly  prepared  more  lies,  and,  speaking  to  the  king  and  queen, 
declared  that  ere  he  died  it  would  be  better  for  him  to  reveal  the 
carefully  guarded  secret  of  a  conspiracy  which  would  have  re- 
sulted in  the  king's  death  had  it  not  been  for  his  devotion. 

The  queen,  shuddering  at  the  mere  thought  of  the  danger  her 
royal  consort  had  run,  now  begged  that  Reynard  might  step  down 
from  the  scaffold  and  speak  privately  to  her  and  to  Nobel.  In  this 
interview  Reynard,  still  pretending  to  prepare  for  immediate 
death,  told  how  he  discovered  a  conspiracy  formed  by  his  father, 
Isegrim  the  wolf,  Brown  the  bear,  and  many  others,  to  slay  the 
king  and  seize  the  scepter.  He  described  the  various  secret  con- 
ferences, the  measures  taken,  and  his  father's  promise  to  defray  all 
the  expenses  of  the  enterprise  and  to  subsidize  mercenary  troops 
by  means  of  the  hoard  of  King  Ermenrich,  which  he  had  discov- 
ered and  concealed  for  his  own  use. 

Reynard  then  continued  to  describe  his  loyal  fears  for  his  be- 
loved sovereign,  his  resolve  to  outwit  the  conspirators,  and  his 
efforts  to  deprive  them  of  the  sinews  of  war  by  discovering  and 
abstracting  the  treasure.  Thanks  to  his  ceaseless  vigilance,  he 
saw  his  father  steal  forth  one  night,  uncover  his  hoard,  gloat  over 
the  gold,  and  then  efface  the  traces  of  his  search  with  the  ut- 
most skill. 

"  '  Nor  could  one, 
Not  having  seen,  have  possibly  known.     And  ere  he  went  onwards 
Well  he  understood  at  the  place  where  his  feet  had  been  planted, 
Cleverly  backwards  and  forwards  to  draw  his  tail,  and  to  smooth  it, 
And  to  efface  the  trace  with  the  aid  of  his  mouth.'" 

Reynard  then  told  the  king  how  diligently  he  and  his  wife,  Erme- 
lyn,  labored  to  remove  the  gold  and  conceal  it  elsewhere,  and  how 
the  conspiracy  came  to  naught  when  no  gold  was  found  to  pay 
the  troops.  He  mournfully  added  that  his  loyalty  further  deprived 
him  of  a  loving  father,  for  the  latter  had  hung  himself  in  despair 


46  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

when  he  found  his  treasure  gone  and  all  his  plans  frustrated.  With 
hypocritical  tears  he  then  bewailed  his  own  fate,  saying  that,  al- 
though ready  to  risk  all  for  another,  there  was  no  one  near  him 
to  speak  a  good  word  for  him  in  his  time  of  bitterest  need. 

The  queen's  soft  heart  was  so  touched  by  this  display  of  feel- 
ing that  she  soon  pleaded  for  and  obtained  Reynard's  pardon  from 

Reynard        Nobel,  who  freely  granted  it  when  the  fox  promised 

pardoned.  ^q  give  him  his  treasure.  Most  accurately  now  he 
described  its  place  of  concealment,  but  said  that  he  could  not 
remain  at  court,  as  his  presence  there  was  an  insult  to  royalty, 
seeing  that  he  was  under  the  Pope's  ban  and  must  make  a  pilgrim- 
age ere  it  could  be  removed. 

The  king,  after  imprisoning  Isegrim,  Brown,  and  Hintze  (the 
chief  conspirators  according  to  Reynard's  tale),  and  ascertaining 
that  the  place  the  fox  eo  accurately  described  really  existed,  bade 
Reynard  depart,  and  at  his  request  procured  for  him  a  fragment 
of  Brown's  hide  to  make  a  wallet,  and  a  pair  of  socks  from  Ise- 
grim and  his  wife,  who  were  very  loath  to  part  with  their  foot 
covering.  The  king,  queen,  and  court  then  accompanied  Reynard 
a  short  way  on  the  first  stage  of  his  journey,  and  turned  back, 
leaving  Bellyn  the  ram  and  Lampe  the  hare  to  escort  him  a 
httle  farther.  These  innocent  companions  accompanied  Reynard 
to  Malepartus,  and  while  Bellyn  waited  patiently  without,  Lampe 
entered  the  house  with  Reynard.  Lady  Ermelyn  and  her  two 
young  sons  greeted  Reynard  with  joy,  listened  breathlessly  to  the 
account  of  his  adventures,  and  then  helped  him  to  slay  and  eat 
Lampe,  who,  he  declared,  had  brought  all  these  evils  upon  him. 

Reynard  and  his  family  feasted  upon  the  body  of  poor  Lampe 
the  hare,  whose  head  was  then  securely  fastened  in  the  wallet 
made  of  Brown's  skin.  This  the  fox  carefully  carried  out  and 
placed  upon  Bellyn's  back,  assuring  him  volubly  the  while  that 
it  contained  important  despatches,  and  that  in  order  to  insure  him 
a  suitable  reward  for  his  good  offices  he  had  told  Nobel  the  king 
that  the  ram  had  given  him  valuable  assistance  in  preparing  the 
contents  of  the  wallet. 


REYNARD    THE  FOX.  47 

"  '  Yet,  as  soon  as  you  see  the  king,  and  to  still  better  favor 
Wish  to  attain  with  him,  'twere  well  to  bring  to  his  notice 
That  you  have  sagely  given  advice  in  composing  the  letters, 
Yea,  and  the  writer  have  help'd.'  " 

Thus  instructed,  and  reassured  concerning  the  absence  of 
Lampe,  whom  Reynard  described  as  enjoying  a  chat  with  Ermelyn, 
Bellyn  bounded  off  to  court,  where  he  did  not  fail  to  vaunt  that 
he  had  helped  Reynard  prepare  the  contents  of  the  wallet.  Nobel 
publicly  opened  it,  and  when  he  drew  out  Lampe's  bleeding  head 
his  anger  knew  no  bounds.  Following  the  advice  of  his  courtiers, 
Bellyn,  in  spite  of  all  his  protestations,  was  given  in  atonement 
to  the  bear  and  the  wolf,  who  the  king  now  feared  had  been  un- 
justly treated.  They  were  then  released  from  imprisonment  and 
reinstated  to  royal  favor,  and  twelve  days  of  festivity  ensued. 

In  the  midst  of  the  dance  and  revelry  a  bloody  rabbit  appeared 
to  accuse  Reynard  of  tearing  off  one  of  his  ears,  while  the  garru- 
lous crow,  Merkinau,  related  how  the  same  unscru-  Reynard  again 
pulous  wretch  had  pretended  death  merely  to  befool  '"  disgrace. 
Sharfenebbe,  his  wife,  and  induce  her  to  come  near  enough  for 
him  to  bite  off  her  head.  Nobel  the  king,  upon  hearing  these 
complaints,  immediately  swore  that  within  six  days  he  would 
besiege  Reynard  in  his  castle,  would  take  him  prisoner,  and  would 
make  him  suffer  the  penalty  of  his  crimes. 

Isegrim  the  wolf  and  Brown  the  bear  rejoiced  at  these  tid- 
ings, while  Grimbart  the  badger,  seeing  the  peril  his  uncle  had 
incurred,  hastened  off  secretly  to  Malepartus  to  warn  him  of  his 
danger  and  support  him  by  his  adA'ice.  He  found  Reynard  sit- 
ting complacently  in  front  of  his  house,  contemplating  two  young 
doves  which  he  had  just  secured  as  they  were  making  their  first 
attempt  to  fly.  Grimbart  breathlessly  related  the  arrival  of  Bel- 
lyn, the  royal  indignation  at  the  sight  of  Lampe's  head,  and  the 
plan  for  surrounding  and  capturing  Reynard  in  his  safe  retreat. 

In  spite  of  this  disquieting  news  Reynard's  composure  did  not 
desert  him  ;  but  after  vowing  that  he  could  easily  acquit  himself  of 
these  crimes  if  he  could  only  win  the  king's  ear  for  a  moment,  he 


48  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

invited  his  kinsman  to  share  his  meal  and  taste  the  dehcale  mor- 
sels he  had  secured.    Grimbart  the  badger,  seeing  that  the  fox  was 
Grimbarfs      "ot  inclined  to  flee,  now  advised  him  not  to  await 
advice.         (-Jig  king's  coming  and  expose  his  wife  and  children 
to  the  horrors  of  a  siege,  but  boldly  to  return  to  court. 

"  'Go  with  assurance  before  the  lords,  and  put  the  best  face  on 
Your  affairs.     They  will  give  you  a  hearing.     Lupardus  was  also 
Willing  you  should  not  be  punish'd  before  you  had  fully 
Made  your  defense,  and  the  queen  herself  was  not  otherwise  minded. 
Mark  this  fact,  and  try  to  make  use  of  it.' " 

Once  more  Reynard  bade  a  tender  farewell  to  his  wife  and  sons, 
resisting  all  the  former's  entreaties  to  seek  safety  in  flight,  and, 
relying  upon  his  cunning,  set  out  with  Grimbart  to  visit  the  court. 
On  his  way  he  again  pretended  repentance  for  his  former  sins, 
and  resuming  his  confession  at  the  point  where  he  had  broken 
off,  he  told  how  maliciously  he  had  secured  a  piece  of  the  bear's 
hide  for  a  wallet,  and  socks  from  Isegrim  and  his  wife.  He  then 
went  on  to  relate  just  how  he  had  murdered  Lampe,  charged  the 
innocent  Bellyn  with  the  ambiguous  message  which  had  cost  him 
his  life,  torn  off  one  of  the  rabbit's  ears,  and  eaten  the  crow's  wife. 
Lastly,  he  confessed  how  he  had  gone  out  in  company  with  the 
wolf,  who,  being  hungry  and  seeing  a  mare  with  a  little  foal,  had 
bidden  Reynard  inquire  at  what  price  she  would  sell  it.  The  mare 
retorted  that  the  price  was  written  on  her  hoof.  The  sly  fox, 
understanding  her  meaning,  yet  longing  to  get  his  companion 
into  trouble,  pretended  not  to  know  how  to  read,  and  sent  the 
wolf  to  ascertain  the  price.  The  result  was,  of  course,  disastrous, 
for  the  mare  kicked  so  hard  that  the  wolf  lay  almost  dead  for 
several  hours  after. 

"So  he  went  and  asked  the  lady,  '  What  price  is  the  filly? 
Make  it  cheap.'     Whereupon  she  replied,  '  You've  only  to  read  it; 
There  you  will  find  the  sum  inscribed  on  one  of  my  hind  feet.' 
'Let   me   look,'  continued   the   wolf;   and  she  answered,   'With 
pleasure.' 


REYNARD    THE  FOX.  49 

"Then  she  lifted  upwards  her  foot  from  the  grass ;  it  was  studded 
With    six   nails.      She  struck  straight   out,   and    not    by  a  hair's 

breadth 
Missed  she  her  mark.      She  struck  on  his  head,  and  straightway  he 

fell  down, 
Lying  as  dumb  as  the  dead." 

Waxing  more  and  more  eloquent  as  they  drew  nearer  court  and 
his  fears  increased,  Reynard  began  to  moralize.  He  excused  him- 
self for  Lampe's  murder  on  the  plea  of  the  latter's  aggravating 
behavior,  said  that  the  king  himself  was  nothing  but  a  robber  living 
by  rapine,  and  proceeded  to  show  how  even  the  priests  were  guilty 
of  manifold  sins,  which  he  enumerated  with  much  gusto. 

They  had  scarcely  finished  this  edifying  conversation  when  they 
came  across  Martin  the  ape,  on  his  way  to  Rome ;  and  Reynard 
hastened  to  implore  him  to  secure  his  release  from  the  Pope's  ban, 
through  the  intercession  of  the  ape's  uncle,  the  cardinal,  whose 
interest  it  \vas  to  serve  him.  Martin  the  ape  not  only  promised 
his  good  offices  at  the  papal  court,  but  bade  Reynard  not  hesitate 
to  consult  his  wife  should  he  find  himself  in  any  predicament  at 
court. 

Thus  supported,  Reynard  again  made  his  appearance  at  court, 
to  the  utter  amazement  and  surprise  of  all ;  and  although  he  was 
well  aware  that  his  situation  was  more  dangerous      Reynard  at 
than  ever,  his  assurance  did  not  seem  at  all  impaired.  court. 

Kneeling  with  pretended  humility  before  the  king,  he  artfully 
began  his  address  by  lamenting  the  fact  that  there  were  so  many 
unscrupulous  people  ever  ready  to  accuse  the  innocent ;  and  when 
the  king  angrily  interrupted  him  to  accuse  him  of  maiming  the 
rabbit  and  devouring  the  crow,  he  began  his  defense. 

First  Reynard  explained  that  since  Martin  the  ape  had  under- 
taken to  free  him  from  his  ban,  his  journey  to  Rome  was  of  course 
unnecessary.  Then  he  related  how  the  rabbit,  dining  at  his  house, 
had  insulted  and  quarreled  with  his  children,  from  whose  clutches 
he  had  had  much  trouble  to  save  him.  The  crow's  death  was 
caused  by  a  fish  bone  she  had  swallowed.  '  Bellyn,  the  traitor,  had 
4 


50  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

slain  Lampe  himself,  and  evidently  put  his  head  in  the  wallet  in- 
stead of  some  treasures  which  Reynard  had  intrusted  to  their  care 
for  the  king  and  queen. 

The  king,  who  had  listened  impatiently  to  all  this  discourse, 
angrily  retired,  refusing  to  beheve  a  word,  while  Reynard  sought 
The  ape's  inter-  the  ape's  wife,  Frau  Riickenau,  and  bade  her  in- 
cession.  tercedc  for  him.  She  entered  the  royal  tent,  re- 
minded the  king  of  her  former  services,  and  seeing  his  mood 
somewhat  softened,  ventured  to  mention  how  cleverly  Reynard 
once  helped  him  to  judge  between  the  rival  claims  of  a  shepherd 
and  a  serpent.  The  latter,  caught  in  a  noose  and  about  to  die, 
had  implored  a  passing  shepherd  to  set  it  free.  The  peasant  had 
done  so  after  exacting  a  solemn  oath  from  the  serpent  to  do  him 
no  harm.  But  the  serpent,  once  released,  and  suffering  from  the 
pangs  of  hunger,  threatened  to  devour  the  peasant.  The  latter 
called  the  raven,  wolf,  and  bear,  whom  he  met  by  the  way,  to 
his  aid ;  but  as  they  all  hoped  to  get  a  share  of  him,  they  all 
decided  in  favor  of  the  serpent's  claim  to  eat  him. 

The  case  by  this  time  had  become  so  intricate  that  it  was  laid 
before  the  king,  who,  unable  to  judge  wisely,  called  Reynard  to 
his  aid.  The  fox  declared  that  he  could  only  settle  so  diihcult  a 
matter  when  plaintiff  and  defendant  had  assumed  the  relative  posi- 
tions which  they  occupied  at  the  time  of  dispute.  Then  when 
the  snake  was  safely  in  the  noose  once  more,  Reynard  decided 
that,  knowing  the  serpent's  treachery,  the  peasant  might  again  set 
him  loose,  but  need  not  do  so  unless  he  chose. 

"  '  Here  now  is  each  of  the  parties 
Once  again  in  his  former  state,  nor  has  either  the  contest 
Won  or  lost.     The  right,  I  think,  of  itself  is  apparent. 
For  if  it  pleases  the  man,  he  again  can  deliver  the  serpent 
Out  of  the  noose  ;   if  not,  he  may  let  her  remain  and  be  hang'd  there. 
Free  he  may  go  on  his  way  with  honor  and  see  to  his  business, 
Since  she  has  proved  herself  false,  when  she  had  accepted  his  kindness ; 
Fairly  the  man  has  the  choice.     This  seems  to  me  to  be  justice, 
True  to  the  spirit.     Let  him  who  understands  better  declare  it.' " 


,»'« '"l 


i 


.^^^^.^ 


{Opp.  p.  51 J 


REYNARD     PREPARING     FOR     BAITLE.  -  Kaulbach. 


REYNARD    THE  FOX.  51 

The  king,  remembering  this  celebrated  judgment,  and  skillfully 
reminded  by  Frau  Ruckenau  of  the  bear's  and  the  wolf's  rapacity, 
consented  at  last  to  give  Reynard  a  second  hearing.  The  fox  now 
minutely  described  the  treasures  he  sent  to  court, — a  magic  ring 
for  the  king,  and  a  comb  and  mirror  for  the  queen.  Not  only  was 
the  fable  of  the  judgment  of  Paris  engraved  on  the  latter,  but  also 
that  of  the  jealous  donkey,  who,  imitating  his  master's  lapdog,  and 
trying  to  climb  into  his  lap,  received  nothing  but  blows.  There 
was  also  the  story  of  the  cat  and  the  fox,  of  the  wolf  and  the 
crane,  and,  lastly,  the  account  of  the  miraculous  way  in  which 
his  father,  a  noted  leech,  had  saved  Nobel's  sire  by  making  him 
eat  the  flesh  of  a  wolf  just  seven  years  old. 

The  pleader  then  reminded  the  king  of  a  noted  hunting  party, 
where  Isegrim,  having  secured  a  boar,  gave  the  king  one  quarter, 
the  queen  another,  reserved  a  half  for  himself,  and  gave  the  fox 
nothing  but  the  head.  This  division  was  of  course  very  disloyal, 
and  the  fox  showed  that  he  thought  so  by  dividing  a  calf  more 
equitably ;  i.e.,  giving  the  queen  one  half,  the  king  the  other,  the 
heart  and  liver  to  the  princes,  the  head  to  the  wolf,  and  reserving 
only  the  feet  for  himself. 

Reynard  prided  himself  upon  these  tokens  of  loyalty,  and  then, 
seeing  that  he  had  made  a  favorable  impression,  he  volunteered,  in 
spite  of  his  small  size,  to  meet  the  wolf  in  battle  and    ^    ,  ,  ^ 

*  '  Duel  between 

leave  the  vindication  of  his  claims  to  the  judgment      the  fox  and 
of  God.    This  magnanimous  behavior  filled  the  king  ^  ^°  " 

with  admiration,  and  the  trial  was  appointed  for  the  following 
day,  the  intervening  hours  being  granted  to  both  combatants 
for  preparation.  Reynard,  still  advised  by  Frau  Ruckenau,  was 
shaved  smooth,  rubbed  with  butter  until  he  was  as  slippery  as 
could  be,  and  instructed  to  feign  fear  and  run  fleetly  in  front  of 
the  wolf,  kicking  up  as  much  sand  as  possible,  and  using  his  brush 
to  dash  it  into  his  opponent's  eyes  and  thus  blind  him. 

The  combat  took  place.  The  wolf,  blinded  by  the  sand  in  his 
eyes,  was  so  infuriated  that  he  finally  pounced  upon  the  fox,  who, 
however,  managed  yet  to  get  the  upper  hand  and  come  off  victor, 


52  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

generously  granting  life  to  his  foe,  whom  he  had  nearly  torn  and 
scratched  to  pieces.  Reynard,  having  thus  won  the  victory,  en- 
joyed the  plaudits  of  the  crowd,  while  the  wolf,  being  vanquished, 
was  publicly  derided,  and  borne  off  by  his  few  remaining  friends 
to  be  nursed  back  to  health,  if  possible. 

"Such  is  ever  the  way  of  the  world.     They  say  to  the  lucky, 
'Long  may  you  live  in  good  health,'  and  friends  he  finds  in  abun- 
dance. 
When,  however,  ill  fortune  befalls  him,  alone  he  must  bear  it. 
Even  so  was  it  here  ;   each  one  of  them  wish'd  to  the  victor 
Nearest  to  be,  to  show  himself  off." 

The  king  pronounced  Reynard  guiltless  of  all  charges,  and 
made  him  one  of  his  privy  councilors.     But  the  fox,  after  thank- 

Reynard's       ii^g  the  king  for  his  favors,  humbly  besought  per- 

acquittai.  mission  to  retum  home,  where  his  wife  was  await- 
ing him,  and  departed,  escorted  by  a  deputation  of  his  friends. 

According  to  some  versions  of  the  tale,  Reynard  contented 
himself  with  blinding  the  wolf  and  maiming  him  for  life  ;  accord- 
ing to  others,  he  bided  his  time,  and  when  the  king  was  ill,  told 
him  that  nothing  could  save  him  short  of  the  heart  of  a  wolf  just 
seven  years  old.  Of  course  no  wolf  of  the  exact  age  could  be 
found  but  Isegrim,  so  he  was  sacrificed  to  save  the  king,  who 
recovered.  As  for  Reynard,  he  enjoyed  great  honor  as  long  as 
he  lived,  and  his  adventures  have  long  been  the  delight  of  the 
people,  whom  his  tricks  never  failed  to  amuse. 

"  Highly  honor'd  is  Reineke  now  !     To  wisdom  let  all  men 
Quickly  apply  them,  and  flee  what  is  evil,  and  reverence  virtue  ! 
This  is  the  end  and  aim  of  the  song,  and  in  it  the  poet 
Fable  and  truth  hath  mixed,  whereby  the  good  from  the  evil 
Ye  may  discern,  and  wisdom  esteem  ;  and  thereby  the  buyers 
Of  this  book  in  the  ways  of  the  world  may  be  daily  instructed. 
For  it  was  so  created  of  old,  and  will  ever  remain  so. 
Thus  is  our  poem  of  Rcineke's  deeds  and  character  ended. 
May  God  bring  us  all  to  eternal  happiness.     Amen  !  " 


CHAPTER    IV. 


THE    NIBELUNGENLIED. 


Germany's  greatest  epic  is,  without  doubt,  the  ancient  poem 
entitled  "  Nibelungenhed,"  or  the  "  Lay,"  "  Fall,"  or  "  Calamity 
of  the   Nibelungs."    Although  nothing  certain   is 

_  .  .  Origin  of  poem. 

known  concerning  the  real  authorship  of  this  beau- 
tiful work,  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  put  into  its  present  form 
either  by  the  Austrian  minstrel  von  Kiirenberg  or  by  the  German 
poet  von  Ofterdingen,  some  time  previous  to  the  year  1210,  the 
date  inscribed  on  the  oldest  manuscript  of  that  poem  now  extant. 

According  to  the  best  authorities  on  ancient  German  literature, 
the  "Nibelungenhed"  is  compiled  from  preexisting  songs  and 
rhapsodies,  forming  five  distinct  cycles  of  myths,  but  all  referring 
in  some  way  to  the  great  treasure  of  the  Nibelungs.  One  of  these 
cycles  is  the  northern  Volsunga  Saga,i  where  Sigurd,  Gudrun, 
Gunnar,  Hogni,  and  Atli,  the  principal  characters,  correspond  to 
Siegfried,  Kriemhild,  Gunther,  Hagen,  and  Etzel  of  the  "  Nibe- 
lungenlied."  The  story  of  the  German  poem,  which  can  be  given 
only  in  outline,  is  as  follows : 

Dankrat  and  Ute,  King  and  Queen  of  Burgundy,  were  the  for- 
tunate parents  of  four  children  :  three  sons,  Gunther,  Gemot,  and 
Giselher;  and  one  beautiful  daughter,  Kriemhild.  When  the 
king  died,  his  eldest  son,  Gunther,  succeeded  him,  and  reigned 
wisely  and  well,  residing  at  Worms  on  the  Rhine,  his  capital  and 
favorite  city. 

As  was  customary  in  those  days,  Kriemhild  lived  a  peaceful 

1  See  Guerber's  Myths  of  Northern  Lands,  p.  225. 

53 


54  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

and  secluded  life,  rarely  leaving  her  mother's  palace  and  protec- 
tion. But  one  night  her  slumbers,  which  were  usually  very 
Kriemhiid's  peaceful,  werc  disturbed  by  a  tormenting  dream, 
dream.  which,  upon  awaking,  she  hastened  to  confide  to 
her  mother,  thinking  that,  as  Ute  was  skilled  in  magic  and  dreams, 
she  might  give  a  favorable  interpretation  and  thus  rid  her  of  her 
haunting  fears. 

"A  dream  was  dreamt  by  Kriemhild,  the  virtuous  and  the  gay, 
How  a  wild  young  falcon  she  train'd  for  many  a  day, 
Till  two  fierce  eagles  tore  it." 

Nibelujtgenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

Ute  declared  that  the  falcon  her  daughter  had  seen  in  her 
dream  must  be  some  noble  prince,  whom  she  would  love  and 
marry ;  while  the  two  eagles  were  base  murderers,  who  would 
eventually  slay  her  beloved.  Instead  of  reassuring  Kriemhild, 
this  interpretation  only  saddened  her  the  more,  and  made  her 
loudly  protest  that  she  would  rather  forego  all  the  joys  of  mar- 
ried estate  than  have  to  mourn  for  a  beloved  husband. 

In  those  days  there  flourished  farther  down  the  Rhine  the 
kingdom  of  the  Netherlands,  governed  by  Siegmund  and  Siege- 

Siegfried's  Xw'^'^.  They  wcrc  very  proud  of  their  only  son  and 
home.  \it\x^  young  Siegfried,  who   had  already  reached 

man's  estate.  To  celebrate  his  knighthood  a  great  tournament 
was  held  at  Xanten  on  the  Rhine,  and  in  the  jousting  the  young 
prince  won  all  the  laurels,  although  great  and  tried  warriors 
matched  their  skill  against  his  in  the  lists. 

The  festivities  continued  for  seven  whole  days,  and  when  the 
guests  departed  they  were  all  heavily  laden  with  the  costly  gifts 
which  the  king  and  queen  had  lavished  upon  them. 

"  The  gorgeous  feast  it  lasted  till  the  seventh  day  was  o'er. 
Siegclind,  the  wealthy,  did  as  they  did  of  yore  ; 
She  won  for  valiant  Siegfried  the  hearts  of  young  and  old. 
When  for  his  sake  among  them  she  shower'd  the  ruddy  gold. 


THE  NIBELUNGENLIED.  55 

"  You  scarce  could  find  one  needy  in  all  the  minstrel  band; 
Horses  and  robes  were  scatter'd  with  ever-open  hand. 
They  gave  as  though  they  had  not  another  day  to  live ; 
None  were  to  take  so  ready  as  they  inclin'd  to  give." 

Nibehi7igenlicd  (Lcttsom's  tr. ). 

After  the  departure  of  all  these  guests,  young  Siegfried  sought 
his  parents'  presence,  told  them  that  he  had  heard  rumors  of  the 
beauty  and  attractions  of  Kriemhild  of  Burgundy,  and  declared 
his  wish  to  journey  thither  to  secure  her  as  his  wife. 

In  vain  the  fond  parents  tried  to  prevail  upon  him  to  remain 
quietly  at  home  ;  the  young  hero  insisted  so  strongly  that  he 
finally  won  their  consent  to  his  immediate  departure.  With 
eleven  companions,  all  decked  out  in  the  richest  garments  that 
the  queen's  chests  could  furnish,  the  young  prince  rode  down  the 
Rhine,  and  reached  Worms  on  the  seventh  day. 

The  arrival  of  the  gallant  little  troop  was  soon  noted  by  Gun- 
ther's  subjects,  who  hastened  out  to  meet  the  strangers  and  help 
them  dismount.     Siegfried  immediately  requested       Siegfried's 
to  be  brought  into  the  presence  of  their  king,  who,       arrival  in 
in  the  mean  while,  had  inquired  of  his  uncle,  Hagen,         urgun  y. 
the  names  and  standing  of  the  newcomers.     Glancing  down  from 
the  great  hall  window,  Hagen  said  that  the  leader  must  be  Sieg- 
fried, the  knight  who  had  slain  the  owners  of  the  Nibelungen  hoard 
and  appropriated  it  for  his  own  use,  as  well  as  the  magic  cloud- 
cloak,  or  Tarnkappe,  which  rendered  its  wearer  invisible  to  mortal 
eyes.i     He  added  that  this  same  Siegfried  was  ruler  of  the  Nibe- 
lungen land,  and  the  slayer  of  a  terrible  dragon,  whose  blood  had 
made  him  invulnerable,  and  he  concluded  by  advising  Gunther 
to  receive  him  most  courteously. 

"  Yet  more  I  know  of  Siegfried,  that  well  your  ear  may  hold : 
A  poison-spitting  dragon  he  slew  with  courage  bold, 
And  in  the  blood  then  bath'd  him  ;   thus  turn'd  to  horn  his  skin, 
And  now  no  weapons  harm  him,  as  often  proved  has  been. 

i  For  various  legends  of  this  cycle  see  Guerber's  Legends  of  the  Rhine, 

article  Xanten. 


56  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

"  Receive  then  this  young  hero  with  all  becoming  state; 
'Twere  ill  advis'd  to  merit  so  fierce  a  champion's  hate. 
So  lovely  is  his  presence,  at  once  all  hearts  are  won, 
And  then  his  strength  and  courage  such  wondrous  deeds  have  done." 

N ibclutigcnlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

In  obedience  to  this  advice,  Gunther  went  to  meet  Siegfried 
and  politely  inquired  the  cause  of  his  visit.  Imagine  his  dismay, 
therefore,  when  Siegfried  replied  that  he  had  come  to  test  the 
Burgundian's  vaunted  strength,  and  to  propose  a  single  combat, 
in  which  the  victor  might  claim  the  lands  and  allegiance  of  the 
vanquished.  Gunther  recoiled  from  such  a  proposal,  and  as  none 
of  his  warriors  seemed  inclined  to  accept  the  challenge,  he  and 
his  brother  hastened  to  disarm  Siegfried's  haughty  mood  by  their 
proffers  of  unbounded  hospitality. 

Siegfried  sojourned  for  nearly  a  year  at  Gunther's  court,  dis- 
playing his  skill  in  all  martial  exercises ;  and  although  he  never 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  fair  maiden  Kriemhild,  she  often  admired 
his  strength  and  manly  beauty  from  behind  the  palace  lattice. 

One  day  the  games  were  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  a  herald 

announcing  that  Ludeger,  King  of  the  Saxons,  and  Ludegast, 

.  ,    ,       King  of  Denmark,  were  about  to  invade  Burgundy. 

War  with  the         ,  .     .  ^  . 

Saxons  and      These  tidings  filled  Gunther's  heart  with  terror,  for 
the  enemy  were  very  numerous  and  their  valor  was 
beyond  all  question.     But  when  Hagen  hinted  that  perhaps  Sieg- 
fried would  lend  them  a  helping  hand,  the  King  of  Burgundy 
seized  the  suggestion  with  joy. 

As  soon  as  Siegfried  was  made  aware  of  the  threatened  inva- 
sion he  declared  that  if  Gunther  would  only  give  him  one  thou- 
sand brave  men  he  would  repel  the  foe.  This  offer  was  too  good 
to  refuse  ;  so  Gunther  hastily  assembled  a  chosen  corps,  in  which 
were  his  brothers  Gemot  and  Giselher,  Hagen  and  his  brother 
Dankwart,  Ortwine,  Sindolt,  and  Volker,  —  all  men  of  remarkable 
valor. 

"  '  Sir  king,'  said  noble  Siegfried,  '  here  sit  at  home  and  play, 
While  I  and  your  vassals  are  fighting  far  away ; 


THE  NIBELUNGENLIED.  57 

Here  frolic  with  the  ladies  and  many  a  merry  mate, 
And  trust  to  me  for  guarding  your  honor  and  estate.'  " 

Nibelwigenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

This  little  force,  only  one  thousand  strong,  then  marched  bravely 
out  of  Worms,  passed  through  Hesse,  and  entered  Saxony,  where 
it  encountered  the  enemy  numbering  no  less  than  twenty  thou- 
sand valiant  fighting  men.  The  battle  was  immediately  begun ; 
and  while  all  fought  bravely,  none  did  such  wonders  as  Siegfried, 
who  made  both  kings  prisoners,  routed  their  host,  and  returned 
triumphant  to  Worms,  with  much  spoil  and  many  captives. 

A  messenger  had  preceded  him  thither  to  announce  the  suc- 
cess of  the  expedition,  and  he  was  secretly  summoned  and  ques- 
tioned by  Kriemhild,  who,  in  her  joy  at  hearing  that  Siegfried  was 
unharmed  and  victorious,  gave  the  messenger  a  large  reward. 

"Then  spake  she  midst  her  blushes,  '  Well  hast  thou  earn'd  thy  meed, 
Well  hast  thou  told  thy  story,  so  take  thee  costliest  weed, 
And  straight  I'll  bid  be  brought  thee  ten  marks  of  ruddy  gold.' 
No  wonder,  to  rich  ladies  glad  news  are  gladly  told." 

Nibclutigenlicd  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

Kriemhild  then  hastened  to  her  window,  from  whence  she  wit- 
nessed her  hero's  triumphant  entrance,  and  heard  the  people's 
acclamations  of  joy.     The  wounded  were   cared      „  ,  , 

■"  /  _  _  Celebration 

for,  the  captive  kings  hospitably  entertained  and  of  Siegfried's 
duly  released,  and  great  festivities  were  held  to  ^"^  °'^^* 
celebrate  the  glorious  victory.  Among  other  entertainments  the 
knights  tilted  in  the  tournaments,  and,  by  Gernot's  advice,  Ute, 
Kriemhild,  and  all  the  court  ladies  were  invited  to  view  the  prowess 
of  the  men  at  arms.  It  was  thus  that  Siegfried  first  beheld 
Kriemhild,  and  as  soon  as  he  saw  her  he  gladly  acknowledged 
that  she  was  fairer  than  he  could  ever  have  supposed. 

"  As  the  moon  arising  outglitters  every  star 
That  through  the  clouds  so  purely  glimmers  from  afar, 
E'en  so  love-breathing  Kriemhild  dimm'd  every  beauty  nigh. 
Well  might  at  such  a  vision  many  a  bold  heart  beat  high." 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 


$8         LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

Siegfried's  happiness  was  complete,  however,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed the  escort  of  this  peerless  maiden  ;  and  on  the  way  to  and 
from  the  tournament  and  mass  he  made  good  use  of  his  oppor- 
tunity to  whisper  pretty  speeches  to  Kriemhild,  who  timidly  ex- 
pressed her  gratitude  for  the  service  he  had  rendered  her  brother, 
and  begged  that  he  would  continue  to  befriend  him.  These 
words  made  Siegfried  blush  with  pride,  and  then  and  there  he 
registered  a  solemn  vow  to  fulfill  her  request. 

"  '  Ever,'  said  he,  '  your  brethren  I'll  serve  as  best  I  may, 
Nor  once,  while  I  have  being,  will  head  on  pillow  lay 
Till  I  have  done  to  please  them  whate'er  they  bid  me  do ; 
And  this,  my  Lady  Kriemhild,  is  all  for  love  of  you.'  " 

Nibehaigenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

The  festivities  being  ended,  Gunther  bestowed  many  gifts  on 
the  departing  guests  ;  but  when  Siegfried  would  also  have  departed 
he  entreated  him  to  remain  at  Worms.  This  the  young  hero  was 
not  at  all  loath  to  do,  as  he  had  fallen  deeply  in  love  with  the 
fair  Kriemhild,  whom  he  was  now  privileged  to  see  every  day. 

The  excitement  consequent  on  the  festivities  had  not  entirely 

subsided  in  Worms  when  King  Gunther  declared  his  desire  to 

win  for  his  wife  Brunhild,  a  princess  of  Issland, 

Brunhild.  .  ,        ,       ,  ,  ,  , 

who  had  vowed  to  marry  none  but  the  man  who 
could  surpass  her  in  casting  a  spear,  in  throwing  a  stone,  and  in 
jumping. 

"  Then  spake  the  lord  of  Rhineland  :  '  Straight  will  I  hence  to  sea, 
And  seek  the  fiery  Brunhild,  howe'er  it  go  with  me. 
For  love  of  the  stern  maiden  I'll  frankly  risk  my  life ; 
Ready  am  I  to  lose  it,  if  I  win  her  not  to  wife. '  " 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

In  vain  Siegfried,  who  knew  all  about  Brunhild,  tried  to  dis- 
suade him  ;  Gunther  insisted  upon  departing,  but  proposed  to 
Siegfried  to  accompany  him,  promising  him  as  reward  for  his  as- 
sistance Kriemhild's  hand  as  soon  as  the  princess  of  Issland  was 
won.     Such  an  offer  was  not  to  be  refused,  and  Siegfried  imme- 


THE  NIBELUNGENLIED.  59 

diately  accepted  it,  advising  Gunther  to  take  only  Hagen  and 
Dankwart  as  his  attendants. 

After  seeking  the  aid  of  Kriemhild  for  a  supply  of  rich  cloth- 
ing suitable  for  a  prince  going  a- wooing,  Gunther  and  the  three 
knights  embarked  on  a  small  vessel,  whose  sails  xhe  expedition 
soon  filled,  and  which  rapidly  bore  them  down  the  *°  issiand. 
Rhine  and  over  the  sea  to  Issiand.  When  within  sight  of  its 
shores,  Siegfried  bade  his  companions  all  carefully  agree  in  rep- 
resenting him  to  the  strangers  as  Gunther's  vassal  only.  Their 
arrival  was  seen  by  some  inquisitive  damsels  peering  out  of  the 
windows  of  the  castle,  and  reported  to  Brunhild,  who  immediately 
and  joyfully  concluded  that  Siegfried  had  come  to  seek  her  hand 
in  marriage.  But  when  she  heard  that  he  held  another  man's 
stirrup  to  enable  him  to  mount,  she  angrily  frowned,  wondering 
why  he  came  as  a  menial  instead  of  as  a  king.  When  the  stran- 
gers entered  her  hall  she  would  have  greeted  Siegfried  first  had 
he  not  modestly  drawn  aside,  declaring  that  the  honor  was  due  to 
his  master,  Gunther,  King  of  Burgundy,  who  had  come  to  Issiand 
to  woo  her. 

Brunhild  then  haughtily  bade  her  warriors  make  all  the  neces- 
sary preparations  for  the  coming  contest ;  and  Gunther,  Haf^en, 
and  Dankwart  apprehensively  watched  the  movements  of  four 
warriors  staggering  beneath  the  weight  of  Brunhild's  ponderous 
shield.  Then  they  saw  three  others  equally  overpowered  by  her 
spear ;  and  twelve  sturdy  servants  could  scarcely  roll  the  stone 
she  was  wont  to  cast. 

Hagen  and  Dankwart,  fearing  for  their  master, — who  was 
doomed  to  die  in  case  of  failure, — began  to  mutter  that  some 
treachery  was  afoot,  and  openly  regretted  that  they  had  con- 
sented to  lay  aside  their  weapons  upon  entering  the  castle. 
These  remarks,  overheard  by  Brunhild,  called  forth  her  scorn, 
and  she  contemptuously  bade  her  servants  bring  the  strangers' 
arms,  since  they  were  afraid. 

"  Well  heard  the  noble  maiden  the  warrior's  words  the  while, 
And  looking  o'er  her  shoulder,  said  with  a  scornful  smile, 


6o  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

'  As  he  thinks  himself  so  mighty,  I'll  not  deny  a  guest ; 
Take  they  their  arms  and  armor,  and  do  as  seems  them  best. 

"  '  Be  they  naked  and  defenseless,  or  sheath'd  in  armor  sheen, 
To  me  it  nothing  matters,'  said  the  haughty  queen. 
'  Fear'd  yet  I  never  mortal,  and,  spite  of  yon  stern  brow 
And  all  the  strength  of  Gunther,  I  fear  as  little  now.' " 

Nibehmgenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

While  these  preliminaries  were  being  settled,  Siegfried  had  gone 

down  to  the  ship  riding  at  anchor,  and  all  unseen  had  donned 

Siegfried  and    his  magic  cloud-cloak  and  returned  to  the  scene 

the  Tarnkappe.  Qf  jj^g  coming  contcst,  where  he  now  bade  Gunther 

rely  upon  his  aid. 

"  '  I  am  Siegfried,  thy  trusty  friend  and  true ; 
Be  not  in  fear  a  moment  for  all  the  queen  can  do.' 

"  Said  he,  '  Off  with  the  buckler,  and  give  it  me  to  bear; 
Now  what  I  shall  advise  thee,  mark  with  thy  closest  care. 
Be  it  thine  to  make  the  gestures,  and  mine  the  work  to  do.' " 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr. ). 

In  obedience  to  these  directions,  Gunther  merely  made  the 
motions,  depending  upon  the  invisible  Siegfried  to  parry  and 
make  all  the  attacks.  Brunhild  first  poised  and  flung  her  spear 
with  such  force  that  both  heroes  staggered  and  almost  fell ;  but 
before  she  could  cry  out  victory,  Siegfried  had  caught  the  spear, 
turned  it  butt  end  foremost,  and  flung  it  back  with  such  violence 
that  the  princess  fell  and  was  obliged  to  acknowledge  herself 
outdone. 

Nothing  daunted,  however,  by  this  first  defeat,  she  caught  up 
the  massive  stone,  flung  it  far  from  her,  and  leaping  after  it, 

Brunhild's      alighted  beside  it.    But  even  while  she  was  inwardly 

defeat.         congratulating  herself,  and  confidently  cherishing 

the  belief  that  the  stranger  could  not  surpass  her,  Siegfried  caught 

up  the  stone,  flung  it  farther  still,  and  grasping  Gunther  by  his 

broad  girdle,  bounded  through  the  air  with  him  and  landed  far 


i£>^jrj    /J.    UU.  I 


GUNTHER     WINNING     HIS     UKIDE.  —  Keller. 


THE  NIBELUNGENLIED.  6 1 

beyond  it.  Brunhild  was  outdone  in  all  three  feats,  and,  accord- 
ing to  her  own  promise,  belonged  to  the  victor,  Gunther,  to  whom 
she  now  bade  her  people  show  all  due  respect  and  homage. 

"  Then  all  aloud  fair  Brunhild  bespake  her  courtier  band. 
Seeing  in  the  ring  at  distance  unharm'd  her  wooer  stand : 
'  Hither,  my  men  and  kinsmen,  low  to  my  better  bow. 
I  am  no  more  your  mistress;  you're  Gunther's  liegemen  now.'" 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr. ). 

The  warriors  all  hastened  to  do  her  bidding,  and  escorted  their 
new  lord  to  the  castle,  whither,  under  pretext  of  fitly  celebrating 
her  marriage,  Brunhild  summoned  all  her  retainers  from  far  and 
near.  This  rally  roused  the  secret  terror  of  Gunther,  Hagen,  and 
Dankwart,  for  they  suspected  some  act  of  treachery  on  the  part 
of  the  dark-browed  queen.  These  fears  were  also,  in  a  measure, 
shared  by  Siegfried  ;  so  he  stole  away,  promising  to  return  before 
long  with  a  force  sufficient  to  overawe  Brunhild  and  quell  all  at- 
tempt at  foul  play. 

Siegfried,  having  hastily  embarked  upon  the  little  vessel,  swiftly 
sailed  away  to  the  Nibelungen  land,  where  he  arrived  in  an  in- 
credibly short  space  of  time,  presented  himself  at  the  gates  of  his 
castle,  and  forced  an  entrance  by  conquering  the  giant  porter,  and 
Alberich,  the  dwarf  guardian  of  his  treasure.  Then  making  him- 
self known  to  his  followers,  the  Nibelungs,  he  chose  one  thousand 
of  them  to  accompany  him  back  to  Issland  to  support  the  Bur- 
gundian  king. 

The  arrival  of  this  unexpected  force  greatly  surprised  Brunhild. 
She  questioned  Gunther,  and  upon  receiving  the  careless  reply 
that  they  were  only  a  few  of  his  followers,  who      „      . 

■'  ■'  _  Marriage  of 

had  come  to  make  merry  at  his  wedding,  she  gave     Gunther  and 
up  all  hope  of  resistance.     When  the  usual  festivi- 
ties had  taken  place,  and  the  wonted  largesses  had  been  distrib- 
uted, Gunther  bade  his  bride  prepare  to  follow  him  back  to  the 
Rhine  with  her  personal  female  attendants,  who  numbered  no  less 
than  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight. 


62  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

Brunhild  regretfully  left  her  own  country,  escorted  by  the  thou- 
sand Nibelung  warriors  ;  and  when  they  had  journeyed  nine  days, 
Gunther  bade  Siegfried  spur  ahead  and  announce  his  safe  return 
to  his  family  and  subjects.  Offended  by  the  tone  of  command 
Gunther  had  assumed,  Siegfried  at  first  proudly  refused  to  obey ; 
but  when  the  king  begged  it  as  a  favor,  and  mentioned  Kriem- 
hild's  name,  he  immediately  relented  and  set  out. 

"  Said  he,  '  Nay,  gentle  Siegfried,  do  but  this  journey  take, 
Not  for  my  sake  only,  but  for  my  sister's  sake ; 
You'll  oblige  fair  Kriemhild  in  this  as  well  as  me.' 
When  so  implored  was  Siegfried,  ready  at  once  was  he. 

"  '  Whate'er  you  will,  command  me;  let  naught  be  left  unsaid; 
I  will  gladly  do  it  for  the  lovely  maid. 
How  can  I  refuse  her  who  my  heart  has  won  ? 
For  her,  whate'er  your  pleasure,  tell  it,  and  it  is  done.'" 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

Kriemhild  received  this  messenger  most  graciously,  and  gave 
immediate  orders  for  a  magnificent  reception  of  the  new  queen, 
going  down  to  the  river  to  meet  and  greet  her  in  the  most  cordial 
and  affectionate  manner. 

A  tournament  and  banquet  ensued ;  but  as  they  were  about  to 

sit  down  to  the  latter,  the  impatient  Siegfried  ventiued  to  remind 

Gunther  of  his  promise,  and  claim  the  hand  of 

Marriage  of 

Siegfried  and  Kriemhild.  In  spite  of  a  low-spoken  remonstrance 
riem  i  .  ^^^  Brunhild's  part,  who  said  that  he  would  surely 
never  consent  to  give  his  only  sister  in  marriage  to  a  menial,Gunther 
sent  for  Kriemhild,  who  blushingly  expressed  her  readiness  to 
marry  Siegfried  if  her  brother  wished.  The  marriage  was  imme- 
diately celebrated,  and  the  two  bridal  couples  sat  side  by  side. 
But  while  Kriemhild's  fair  face  was  radiant  with  joy,  Brunhild's 
dark  brows  were  drawn  close  together  in  an  unmistakable  and 
ominous  frown. 

The  banquet  over,  the  newly  married  couples  retired  ;  but  when 
Gunther,  for  the  first  time  alone  with  his  wife,  would  fain  have 


THE  NIBELUNGF.NLIED.  63 

embraced  her,  she  seized  him,  and,  in  spite  of  his  vigorous  resist- 
ance, bound  him  fast  with  her  long  girdle,  suspended  him  from  a 
nail  in  the  corner  of  her  apartment,  and,  notwith-  cunther's 
standing  his  piteous  entreaties,  let  him  remain  there  humiliation, 
all  night  long,  releasing  him  only  a  few  moments  before  the  at- 
tendants entered  the  nuptial  chamber  in  the  morning.  Of  course 
all  seemed  greatly  surprised  to  see  Gunther's  lowering  counte- 
nance, which  contrasted  oddly  with  Siegfried's  radiant  mien ;  for 
the  latter  had  won  a  loving  wife,  and,  to  show  his  appreciation  of 
her,  had  given  her  as  wedding  gift  the  great  Nibelungen  hoard. 

In  the  course  of  the  day  Gunther  managed  to  draw  Siegfried 
aside,  and  secretly  confided  to  him  the  shameful  treatment  he 
had  received  at  his  wife's  hands.  When  Siegfried  heard  this  he 
offered  to  don  his  cloud-cloak  once  more,  enter  the  royal  cham- 
ber unperceived,  and  force  Brunhild  to  recognize  her  husband 
as  her  master,  and  never  again  make  use  of  her  strength  against 
him. 

In  pursuance  of  this  promise  Siegfried  suddenly  left  Kriemhild's 
side  at  nightfall,  stole  unseen  into  the  queen's  room,  and  when 
she  and  Gunther  had  closed  the  door,  he  blew  out        _      ,  ..^ 

Brunhild 

the  hghts  and  wrestled   with   Brunhild  until   she      subdued  by 
begged  for  mercy,  promising  never  to  bind  him         '^^  '^'^ 
again ;   for  as  Siegfried  had  remained  invisible  throughout  the 
struggle,  she  thought  it  was  Gunther  who  had  conquered  her. 

"  Said  she,  '  Right  noble  ruler,  vouchsafe  my  life  to  spare; 
Whatever  I've  offended,  my  duty  shall  repair. 
I'll  meet  thy  noble  passion ;   my  love  with  thine  shall  vie. 
That  thou  canst  tame  a  woman,  none  better  knows  than  I.' " 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

Still  unperceived,  Siegfried  now  took  her  girdle  and  ring,  and 
stole  out  of  the  apartment,  leaving  Gunther  alone  with  his  wife ; 
but,  true  to  her  promise,  Brunhild  ever  after  treated  her  husband 
with  due  respect,  and  having  once  for  all  been  conquered,  she 
entirely  lost  the  fabulous  strength  which  had  been  her  proudest 


64  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE   AGES. 

boast,  and  was  no  more  powerful  than  any  other  member  of  her 
sex. 

After  fourteen  days  of  rejoicing,  Siegfried  and  Kriemhild  (the 
latter  escorted  by  her  faithful  steward  Eckewart)  journeyed  off 
to  Xanten  on  the  Rhine,  where  Siegmund  and  Siegelind  received 
them  joyfully,  and  even  abdicated  in  their  favor. 

Ten  years  passed  away  very  rapidly  indeed.  Siegfried  be- 
came the  father  of  a  son,  whom  he  named  Gunther,  in  honor  of 
his  brother-in-law,  who  had  called  his  heir  Siegfried ;  and  when 
Siegelind  had  seen  her  little  grandson  she  departed  from  this 
world.  Siegfried,  with  Kriemhild,  his  father,  and  his  son,  then 
went  to  the  Nibelungen  land,  where  they  tarried  two  years. 

In  the  mean  while  Brunhild,  still  imagining  that  Siegfried  was 
only  her  husband's  vassal,  secretly  wondered  why  he  never  came 
to  court  to  do  homage  for  his  lands,  and  finally  suggested  to 
Gunther  that  it  would  be  well  to  invite  his  sister  and  her  husband 
to  visit  them  at  Worms.  Gunther  seized  this  suggestion  gladly, 
and  immediately  sent  one  of  his  followers,  Gary,  to  deliver  the 
invitation,  which  Siegfried  accepted  for  himself  and  his  wife,  and 
also  for  Siegmund,  his  father. 

As  they  were  bidden  for  midsummer,  and  as  the  journey  was 
very  long,  Kriemhild  speedily  began  her  preparations ;  and  when 
she  left  home  she  cheerfully  intrusted  her  little  son  to  the  care 
of  the  stalwart  Nibelung  knights,  httle  suspecting  that  she  would 
never  see  him  again. 

On  Kriemhild's  arrival  at  Worms,  Brunhild  greeted  her  with 
as  much  pomp  and  ceremony  as  had  been  used  for  her  own  re- 
ception ;  but  in  spite  of  the  amity  which  seemed  to  exist  between 
the  two  queens,  Brunhild  was  secretly  angry  at  what  she  deemed 
Kriemhild's  unwarrantable  arrogance. 

One  day,  when  the  two  queens  were  sitting  together,  Brunhild, 
weary  of  hearing  Kriemhild's  constant  praise  of  her  husband, 
who  she  declared  was  without  a  peer  in  the  world,  cuttingly  re- 
marked that  since  he  was  Gunther's  vassal  he  must  necessarily 
be  his  inferior.    This  remark  called  forth  a  retort  from  Kriemhild, 


THE   XIHEl.i-XCr.M.lEn.  65 

and  a  dispute  was  soon  raging,  in  the  course  of  which  Kriemhild 
vowed  that  she  would  pubhcly  assert  her  rank  by  taking  the  pre- 
cedence of  Brunhild  in  entering  the  church.     The 

°  Brunhild 

queens  parted  in  hot  anger,  but  both  immediately  and 

proceeded  to  attire  themselves  with  the  utmost  mag-  "^'^"^ 
nificence,  and,  escorted  by  all  their  maids,  met  at  the  church 
door.  Brunhild  there  bade  Kriemhild  stand  aside  and  make 
way  for  her  superior ;  but  this  order  so  angered  the  Nibelungen 
queen  that  the  dispute  was  resumed  in  pubHc  with  increased 
vehemence  and  bitterness. 

In  her  indignation  Kriemhild  finally  insulted  Brunhild  grossly 
by  declaring  that  she  was  not  a  faithful  wife  ;  and  in  proof  of  her  as- 
sertion she  produced  the  ring  and  girdle  which  Siegfried  had  won 
in  his  memorable  encounter  with  her,  and  which  he  had  impru- 
dently given  to  his  wife,  to  whom  he  had  also  confided  the  secret 
of  Brunhild's  wooing. 

Brunhild  indignantly  summoned  Gunther  to  defend  her,  and  he, 
in  anger,  sent  for  Siegfried,  who  publicly  swore  that  his  wife  had 
not  told  the  truth,  and  that  Gunther's  queen  had  in  no  way  for- 
feited her  good  name.  Further  to  propitiate  his  host,  Siegfried 
declared  the  quarrel  to  be  disgraceful,  and  promised  to  teach  his 
wife  better  manners  for  the  future,  advising  Gunther  to  do  the 
same  with  his  consort. 

"  '  Women  must  be  instructed,'  said  Siegfried  the  good  knight, 
'  To  leave  off  idle  talking  and  rule  their  tongues  aright. 
Keep  thy  fair  wife  in  order.     I'll  do  by  mine  the  same. 
Such  overweening  folly  puts  me  indeed  to  shame.'  " 

Nibehingenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

To  carry  out  this  good  resolution  he  led  Kriemhild  home, 
where,  sooth  to  say,  he  beat  her  black  and  blue, — an  heroic  meas- 
ure which  Gunther  did  not  dare  to  imitate. 

Brunhild,  smarting  from  the  pubhc  insult  received,  continued 
to  weep  aloud  and  complain,  until  Hagen,  inquiring  the  cause  of 
her  extravagant  grief,  and  receiving  a  highly  colored  version  of 
the  affair,  declared  that  he  would  see  that  she  was  duly  avenged. 

5 


66  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

"  He  ask'd  her  what  had  happen'd  —  wherefore  he  saw  her  weep ; 
She  told  him  all  the  story ;  he  vow'd  to  her  full  deep 
That  reap  should  Kriemhild's  husband  as  he  had  dar'd  to  sow, 
Or  that  himself  thereafter  content  should  never  know." 

Nibelungetilied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

To  keep  this  promise,  Hagen  next  tried  to  stir  up  the  anger  of 
Gunther,  Gemot,  and  Ortwine,  and  to  prevail  upon  them  to  mur- 
der Siegfried ;  but  Giselher  reproved  him  for  these  base  designs, 
and  openly  took  Siegfried's  part,  declaring : 

"  '  Sure  'tis  but  a  trifle  to  stir  an  angry  wife.' " 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

But  although  he  succeeded  in  quelling  the  attempt  for  the  time 
being,  he  was  no  match  for  the  artful  Hagen,  who  continually 
reminded  Gunther  of  the  insult  his  wife  had  received,  setting  it 
in  the  worst  possible  light,  and  finally  so  worked  upon  the  king's 
feelings  that  he  consented  to  a  treacherous  assault. 

Under  pretext  that  his  former  enemy,  Ludeger,  was  about  to 

attack  him  again,  Gunther  asked  Siegfried's  assistance,  and  began 

Hagen's        to  prepare  as  if  for  war.     When  Kriemhild  heard 

treachery.  j^j-^g^j  }^gj.  belovcd  husband  was  about  to  rush  into 
danger  she  was  greatly  troubled.  Hagen  artfully  pretended  to 
share  her  alarm,  and  so  won  her  confidence  that  she  revealed  to 
him  that  Siegfried  was  invulnerable  except  in  one  spot,  between 
his  shoulders,  where  a  lime  leaf  had  rested  and  the  dragon's 
blood  had  not  touched  him. 

"  *  So  now  I'll  tell  the  secret,  dear  friend,  alone  to  thee 
(For  thou,  I  doubt  not,  cousin,  wilt  keep  thy  faith  with  me), 
Where  sword  may  pierce  my  darling,  and  death  sit  on  the  thrust. 
See,  in  thy  truth  and  honor  how  full,  how  firm,  my  trust ! 

"  *  As  from  the  dragon's  death-wounds  gush'd  out  the  crimson  gore. 
With  the  smoking  torrent  the  warrior  wash'd  him  o'er, 
A  leaf  then  'twixt  his  shoulders  fell  from  the  linden  bough. 
There  only  steel  can  harm  him ;  for  that  I  tremble  now.' " 

Nibelutigenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 


THE  NIBELUNGENLIED.  67 

Pretending  a  sympathy  lie  was  far  from  feeling,  and  disguising 
his  unholy  joy,  Hagen  bade  Kriemhild  sew  a  tiny  cross  on  Sieg- 
fried's doublet  over  the  vulnerable  spot,  that  he  might  the  better 
protect  him  in  case  of  danger,  and,  after  receiving  her  profuse 
thanks,  returned  to  report  the  success  of  his  ruse  to  the  king. 
When  Siegfried  joined  them  on  the  morrow,  wearing  the  fatal 
marked  doublet,  he  was  surprised  to  hear  that  the  rebellion  had 
been  quelled  without  a  blow  ;  and  when  invited  to  join  in  a  hunt 
in  the  Odenwald  instead  of  the  fray,  he  gladly  signified  his  con- 
sent. After  bidding  farewell  to  Kriemhild,  whose  heart  was  sorely 
oppressed  by  dark  forebodings,  he  joined  the  hunting  party.  He 
scoured  the  forest,  slew  several  boars,  caught  a  bear  alive,  and 
playfully  let  him  loose  in  camp  to  furnish  sport  for  the  guests 
while  the  noonday  meal  was  being  prepared.  Then  he  gaily  sat 
down,  clamoring  for  a  drink.  His  exertions  had  made  him  very 
thirsty  indeed,  and  he  was  sorely  disappointed  when  told  that, 
owing  to  a  mistake,  the  wine  had  been  carried  to  another  part 
of  the  forest.  But  when  Hagen  pointed  out  a  fresh  spring  at  a 
short  distance,  all  his  wonted  good  humor  returned,  and  he  mer- 
rily proposed  a  race  thither,  oiTering  to  run  in  full  armor,  while 
the  others  might  lay  aside  their  cumbersome  weapons.  This  chal- 
lenge was  accepted  by  Hagen  and  Gunther.  Although  heavily 
handicapped,  Siegfried  reached  the  spring  first ;  but,  wishing  to 
show  courtesy  to  his  host,  he  bade  him  drink  while  he  disarmed. 
When  Gunther's  thirst  was  quenched,  Siegfried  took  his  turn,  and 
while  he  bent  over  the  water  Hagen  treacherously  removed  all 
his  weapons  except  his  shield,  and  gliding  behind  him,  drove  his 
spear  through  his  body  in  the  exact  spot  where  Kriemhild  had 
embroidered  the  fatal  mark. 

Mortally  wounded,  Siegfried  made  a  desperate  effort  to  avenge 
himself ;  but  finding  nothing  but  his  shield  within  reach,  he  flung 
it  with  such  force  at  his  murderer  that  it  knocked       Death  of 
him  down.    This  last  eflfort  exhausted  the  remain-       Siegfried, 
der  of  his  strength,  and  the  hero  fell  back  upon  the  grass,  cursing 
the  treachery  of  those  whom  he  had  trusted  as  friends. 


68  LEGENDS   OE    TJIE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

"  Thus  spake  the  deadly  wounded  :  '  Ay,  cowards  false  as  hell ! 
To  you  I  still  was  faithful ;   I  serv'd  you  long  and  well ;  — 
But  what  boots  all?  —  for  guerdon  treason  and  death  I've  won. 
By  your  friends,  vile  traitors  !  foully  have  you  done. 

"  '  Whoever  shall  hereafter  from  your  loins  be  born, 
Shall  take  from  such  vile  fathers  a  heritage  of  scorn. 
On  me  you  have  wreak'd  malice  where  gratitude  was  due  ; 
With  shame  shall  you  be  banish'd  by  all  good  knights  and  true.'  " 

Nibelimgeiilied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

But  even  in  death  Siegfried  could  not  forget  his  beloved  wife  ; 
and  laying  aside  all  his  anger,  he  pathetically  recommended  her 
to  Gunther's  care,  bidding  him  guard  her  well.  Siegfried  expired 
as  soon  as  these  words  were  uttered ;  and  the  hunters  silently 
gathered  around  his  corpse,  regretfully  contemplating  the  fallen 
hero,  while  they  took  counsel  together  how  they  might  keep  the 
secret  of  Hagen's  treachery.  They  finally  agreed  to  carry  the 
body  back  to  Worms  and  to  say  that  they  had  found  Siegfried  dead 
in  the  forest,  where  he  had  presumably  been  slain  by  highwaymen, 

"  Then  many  said,  repenting,  'This  deed  will  prove  our  bale  ; 
Still  let  us  shroud  the  secret,  and  all  keep  in  one  tale,  — 
That  the  good  lord  of  Kriemhild  to  hunt  alone  preferr'd, 
And  so  was  slain  by  robbers  as  through  the  wood  he  spurr'd.' " 

Nibelnjigcnlied  (Lettsom's  tr. ). 

But  although  his  companions  were  anxious  to  shield  him,  Hagen 
gloried  in  his  dastardly  deed,  and  secretly  bade  the  bearers  de- 
posit Siegfried's  corpse  at  Kriemhild's  door  after  nightfall,  so  that 
she  should  be  the  first  to  see  it  there  when  on  her  way  to  early 
mass.  As  he  fully  expected,  Kriemhild  immediately  recognized 
her  husband,  and  fell  senseless  upon  him  ;  but  when  she  had  re- 
covered consciousness  she  declared,  while  loudly  bewailing  her 
loss,  that  Siegfried  was  the  victim  of  an  assassination. 

"  '  Woe's  me,  woe's  mc  forever  !  sure  no  fair  foeman's  sword 
Shiver'd  thy  failing  buckler  ;  'twas  murder  stopp'd  thy  breath. 
Oh  that  I  knew  who  did  it  !  death  I'd  requite  with  death  ! ' " 

Nihehingenlied  (Lettsom's  tr. ). 


THE  xiiu-:ll'Xgi:xlij:d.  69 

By  her  orders  a  messenger  was  sent  to  break  the  mournful  tid- 
ings to  the  still  sleeping  Siegmund  and  the  Nibelungs.  They 
hastily  armed  and  rallied  about  her,  and  would  have  fallen  upon 
the  Burgundians,  to  avenge  their  master's  death,  had  she  not  re- 
strained them,  bidding  them  await  a  suitable  occasion,  and  prom- 
ising them  her  support  when  the  right  time  came. 

The  preparations  for  a  sumptuous  funeral  were  immediately 
begun,  and  all  lent  a  wilhng  hand,  for  Siegfried  was  greatly  be- 
loved at  Worms.     His  bodv  was  therefore  laid  in     ^  ,    ,.       , 

Detection  oi 

State  in  the  cathedral,  where  all  came  to  view  it  and  Siegfried's 
condole  with  Kriemhild ;  but  when  Gunther  drew 
near  to  express  his  sorrow,  she  refused  to  listen  to  him  until  he 
promised  that  all  those  present  at  the  hunt  should  touch  the 
body,  which  at  the  murderer's  contact  would  bleed  afresh.  All 
stood  the  test  and  were  honorably  acquitted  save  Hagen,  at 
whose  touch  Siegfried's  blood  began  to  flow. 

"  It  is  a  mighty  marvel,  which  oft  e'en  now  we  spy, 
That  when  the  blood-stain'd  murderer  comes  to  the  murder'd  nigh, 
The  wounds  break  out  a-bleeding;  then  too  the  same  befell, 
And  thus  could  each  beholder  the  guilt  of  Hagen  tell." 

NibehtngoiUcd  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

Once  more  Kriemhild  restrained  the  angry  Nibelung  war- 
riors from  taking  immediate  revenge,  and,  upheld  by  Gemot  and 
Giselher,  who  really  sympathized  with  her  grief,  she  went  through 
the  remainder  of  the  funeral  ceremonies  and  saw  her  hero  duly 
laid  at  rest. 

Kriemhild's  mourning  had  only  begun.  All  her  days  and  nights 
were  now  spent  in  bitter  weeping.  This  sorrow  was  fully  shared 
by  Siegmund,  who,  however,  finally  roused  himself  and  proposed 
a  return  home.  Kriemhild  was  about  to  accompany  him,  when 
her  relatives  persuaded  her  to  remain  in  Burgundy.  Then  the 
little  band  which  had  come  in  festal  array  rode  silently  away  in 
mourning  robes,  the  grim  Nibelung  knights  muttering  dark  threats 
against  those  who  had  dealt  so  basely  with  their  beloved  master. 


70         LEGENDS   OE    THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

"  '  Into  this  same  country  we  well  may  come  again 
To  seek  and  find  the  traitor  who  laid  our  master  low. 
Among  the  kin  of  Siegfried  they  have  many  a  mortal  foe.'  " 

Nibelttngenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

Eckewart  the  steward  alone  remained  with  Kriemhild,  with  a 
faithfulness  which  has  become  proverbial  in  the  German  language, 
The  Nibeiungen  and  prepared  for  his  mistress  a  dwelling  close  by 
hoard.  tj-jg   cathedral,  so  that  she  might  constantly  visit 

her  husband's  tomb.  Here  Kriemhild  spent  three  years  in  com- 
plete seclusion,  refusing  to  see  Gunther,  or  the  detested  Hagen ; 
but  they,  remembering  that  the  immense  Nibeiungen  hoard  was 
hers  by  right,  continually  wondered  how  she  could  be  induced 
to  send  for  it.  Owing  to  Hagen's  advice,  Gitnther,  helped  by 
his  brothers,  finally  obtained  an  interview  with,  and  was  recon- 
ciled to,  his  mourning  sister,  and  shortly  after  persuaded  her  to 
send  twelve  men  to  claim  from  Alberich,  the  dwarf,  the  fabulous 
wealth  her  husband  had  bestowed  upon  her  as  a  wedding  gift. 

"  It  was  made  up  of  nothing  but  precious  stones  and  gold  ; 
Were  all  the  world  bought  from  it,  and  down  the  value  told, 
Not  a  mark  the  less  thereafter  were  left  than  erst  was  scor'd. 
Good  reason  sure  had  Hagen  to  covet  such  a  hoard. 


'&^ 


"  And  thereamong  was  lying  the  wishing  rod  of  gold, 
Which  whoso  could  discover,  might  in  subjection  hold 
All  this  wide  world  as  master,  with  all  that  dwelt  therein. 
There  came  to  Worms  with  Gemot  full  many  of  Albric's  kin." 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

But  although  this  wealth  is  said  to  have  filled  nearly  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  wagons,  Kriemhild  would  gladly  have  given  it  all 
away  could  she  but  have  seen  her  husband  by  her  side  once  more. 
Not  knowing  what  else  to  do  with  it,  she  gave  away  her  gold 
right  and  left,  bidding  all  the  recipients  of  her  bounty  pray  for 
Siegfried's  soul.  Her  largesses  were  so  extensive  that  Hagen, 
who  alone  did  not  profit  by  her  generosity,  and  who  feared  the 


SIt.UFKlfc.lJ'S     \'A)\>\     BORNK     HOME     L!Y     J  HE     HUNT.sMKM.  —  Pixis. 


THE  NIBELUNGENLIED.  71 

treasure  might  be  exhausted  before  he  could  obtain  a  share, 
sought  out  Gunther  and  told  him  that  Kriemhild  was  secretly 
winning  to  her  side  many  adherents,  whom  she  would  some  day 
urge  to  avenge  her  husband's  murder  by  slaying  her  kindred. 

While  Gunther  was  trying  to  devise  some  plan  to  obtain  pos- 
session of  the  hoard,  Hagen  boldly  seized  the  keys  of  the  tower 
where  it  was  kept,  secretly  removed  all  the  gold,  and,  to  prevt-nt 
its  falling  into  any  hands  but  his  own,  sank  it  in  the  Rhine  near 
Lochheim. 

"  Ere  back  the  king  came  thither,  impatient  of  delay, 
Hagen  seized  the  treasure,  and  bore  it  thence  away. 
Into  the  Rhine  at  Lochheim  the  whole  at  once  threw  he ! 
Henceforth  he  thought  t'  enjoy  it,  but  that  was  ne'er  to  be. 

'*  He  nevermore  could  get  it  for  all  his  vain  desire ; 
So  fortune  oft  the  traitor  cheats  of  his  treason's  hire. 
Alone  he  hop'd  to  use  it  as  long  as  he  should  live. 
But  neither  himself  could  profit,  nor  to  another  give." 

Nibelu7tgenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

When  Gunther,  Gemot,  and  Giselher  heard  what  Hagen  had 
done,  they  were  so  angry  that  he  deemed  it  advisable  to  with- 
draw from  court  for  a  while.  Kriemhild  would  fain  have  left 
Burgundy  forever  at  this  fresh  wrong,  but  with  much  difficulty 
was  prevailed  upon  to  remain  and  take  up  her  abode  at  Lorch, 
whither  Siegfried's  remains  were  removed  by  her  order. 

Thirteen  years  had  passed  by  since  Siegfried's  death  in  the 
Odenwald  Avhen  Etzel,  King  of  Hungary,  who  had  lost  his  beau- 
tiful and  beloved  wife,  Helche,  bade  one  of  his     ^.       ,„ 

'  '  King  of  Hun- 

knights,  Riidiger  of  Bechlaren,  ride  to  Worms  and     gary  a  suitor 

sue  for  the  hand  of  Kriemhild  in  his  master's  name.    ^'""  ^"^'"•^'''^• 

Riidiger  immediately  gathered  together  a  suitable  train  and 

departed,  stopping  on  the  way  to  visit  his  wife  and  daughter  at 

Bechlaren.     Passing  all  through  Bavaria,  he  arrived  at  last  at 

Worms,  where  he  was  warmly  welcomed,  by  Hagen  especially, 

who  had  formerly  known  him  well. 


72  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

In  reply  to  Gunther's  courteous  inquiry  concerning  the  welfare 
of  the  King  and  Queen  of  the  Huns,  Riidiger  announced  the  death 
of  the  latter,  and  declared  that  he  had  come  to  sue  for  Kriem- 
hild's  hand. 

"Thereon  the  highborn  envoy  his  message  freely  told: 
'  King,  since  you  have  permitted,  I'll  to  your  ears  unfold 
Wherefore  my  royal  master  me  to  your  court  has  sent, 
Plung'd  as  he  is  in  sorrow  and  doleful  dreariment. 

"  '  It  has  been  told  my  master,  Sir  Siegfried  now  is  dead, 
And  Kriemhild  left  a  widow.      If  thus  they  both  have  sped, 
Would  you  but  permit  her,  she  the  crown  shall  wear 
Before  the  knights  of  Etzel ;  this  bids  me  my  good  lord  declare.'  " 

Nlbclungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

Gunther  gladly  received  this  message,  promised  to  do  all  in  his 
pow^er  to  win  Kriemhild's  consent,  and  said  that  he  would  give 
the  envoy  a  definite  answer  in  three  days'  time.  He  then  con- 
sulted his  brothers  and  nobles  as  to  the  advisabihty  of  the  pro- 
posed alliance,  and  found  that  all  were  greatly  in  favor  of  it  save 
Hagen,  who  warned  them  that  if  Kriemhild  were  ever  Queen  of 
the  Huns  she  would  use  her  power  to  avenge  her  wrongs. 

This  warning  was,  however,  not  heeded  by  the  royal  brothers, 
who,  seeking  Kriemhild's  presence,  vainly  tried  to  make  her  accent 

Riidiger's       the  Hun's  proposal.     All  she  would  grant  was  an 

promise.  audicncc  to  Riidiger,  who  laid  before  her  his  mas- 
ter's proposal,  described  the  power  of  the  Huns,  and  swore  to 
obey  her  in  all  things  would  she  but  consent  to  become  his  queen. 

"  In  vain  they  her  entreated,  in  vain  to  her  they  pray'd. 
Till  to  the  queen  the  margrave  this  secret  promise  made,  — 
He'd  '  full  amends  procure  her  for  past  or  future  ill.' 
Those  words  her  storm-tost  bosom  had  power  in  part  to  still." 

Niheliitigenlii'd  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

After  receiving  this  promise,  Kriemhild  signified  her  consent, 
and  immediately  prepared  to  accompany  Riidiger  to  King 
Etzel's  court.     Kckewart  and  all  her  maidens  accompanied  her, 


I 


THE  XIBELUNGENLIED.  73 

with  five  hundred  men  as  a  bodyguard  ;  and  Gemot  and  Gisel- 
her,  with  many  Burgundian  nobles,  escorted  her  to  Vergen  on 
the  Danube,  where  they  took  an  affectionate  leave     xhe  journey 
of  her,  and  went  back  to  their  home  in  Burgundy.     ^°  Hungary. 

From  Vergen,  Kriemhild  and  her  escort  journeyed  on  to  Passau, 
where  they  were  warmly  welcomed  and  hospitably  entertained  by 
good  Bishop  Pilgrim,  brother  of  Queen  Ute.  He  would  gladly 
have  detained  them,  had  not  Riidiger  declared  that  his  master 
impatiently  awaited  the  coming  of  his  bride,  which  had  duly  been 
announced  to  him. 

A  second  pause  was  made  at  Bechlaren,  Riidiger's  castle,  where 
Kriemhild  was  entertained  by  his  wife  and  daughter,  Gotehnde 
and  Dietelinde,  and  where  the  usual  lavish  distribution  of  gifts 
took  place.  Then  the  procession  swept  on  again  across  the 
country  and  down  the  Danube,  until  they  met  King  Etzel,  whom 
Kriemhild  graciously  kissed,  and  who  obtained  a  similar  favor  for 
his  brother  and  a  few  of  his  principal  nobles. 

After  witnessing  some  tilting  and  other  martial  games,  the 
king  and  queen  proceeded  to  Vienna,  where  a  triumphal  recep- 
tion awaited  them,  and  where  their  mamage  was  xhe  marriage 
celebrated  with  all  becoming  solemnity  and  great  ^*  Vienna, 
pomp.  The  wedding  festivities  lasted  seventeen  days ;  but  al- 
though all  vied  in  their  attempts  to  please  Kriemhild,  she  remained 
sad  and  pensive,  for  she  could  not  forget  her  beloved  Siegfried 
and  the  happy  years  she  had  spent  with  him. 

The  royal  couple  next  journeyed  on  to  Gran,  Etzel's  capital, 
where  Kriemhild  found  innumerable  handmaidens  ready  to  do 
her  will,  and  where  Etzel  was  very  happy  with  his  new  consort. 
His  joy  was  complete,  however,  only  when  she  bore  him  a  son, 
who  was  baptized  in  the  Christian  faith,  and  called  Ortlieb. 

Although  thirteen  years  had  now  elapsed  since  Kriemhild  had 
left  her  native  land,  the  recollection  of  her  wrongs  was  as  vivid 
as  ever,  her  melancholy  just  as  profound,  and  her  thoughts  were 
ever  busy  planning  how  best  to  lure  Hagen  into  her  kingdom  so 
as  to  work  her  revenge. 


74         LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

"  One  long  and  dreary  yearning  she  foster'd  hour  by  hour; 
She  thought,  '  I  am  so  wealthy  and  hold  such  boundless  power. 
That  I  with  ease  a  mischief  can  bring  on  all  my  foes, 
But  most  on  him  of  Trony,  the  deadliest  far  of  those. 

"  '  Full  oft  for  its  beloved  my  heart  is  mourning  still ; 
Them  could  I  but  meet  with,  who  wrought  me  so  much  ill, 
Revenge  should  strike  at  murder,  and  life  atone  for  life ; 
Wait  can  I  no  longer.'    So  murmur'd  Etzel's  wife." 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

Kriemhild  finally  decided  to  persuade  Etzel  to  invite  all  her 
kinsmen  for  a  midsummer  visit,  which  the  king,  not  dreaming  of 

Kriemhiid's  her  evil  purpose,  immediately  hastened  to  do.  Two 
pi°^-  minstrels,  Werbel  and  Swemmel,  were  sent  with  the 

most  cordial  invitation.  Before  they  departed  Kriemhild  in- 
structed them  to  be  sure  and  tell  all  her  kinsmen  that  she  was 
blithe  and  happy,  and  not  melancholy  as  of  yore,  and  to  use  every 
effort  to  bring  not  only  the  kings,  but  also  Hagen,  who,  having 
been  at  Etzel's  court  as  hostage  in  his  youth,  could  best  act  as 
their  guide. 

The  minstrels  were  warmly  received  at  Worms,  where  their  invi- 
tation created  great  excitement.  All  were  in  favor  of  accepting 
it  except  Hagen,  who  objected  that  Kriemhild  had  cause  for 
anger  and  would  surely  seek  revenge  when  they  were  entirely  in 
her  power. 

"  *  Trust  not,  Sir  King,'  said  Hagen,  'how  smooth  soe'er  they  be, 
These  messengers  from  Hungary  ;  if  Kriemhild  you  will  see, 
You  put  upon  the  venture  your  honor  and  your  life. 
A  nurse  of  ling'ring  vengeance  is  Etzel's  moody  wife.' " 

Nibelungenlicd  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

But  all  his  objections  were  set  aside  with  the  remark  that  he 
alone  had  a  guilty  conscience ;  and  the  kings  bade  the  minstrels 
return  to  announce  their  coming,  although  Ute  also  tried  to  keep 
them  at  home.  Hagen,  who  was  no  coward,  seeing  them  deter- 
mined to  go,  grimly  prepared  to  accompany  them,  and  prevailed 
upon  them  to  don  their  strongest  armor  for  the  journey. 


' 


THE  NfBFJ.rXCr.XLIIJ).  75 

Gunther  was  accompanied  by  both  his  brothers,  by  Hagen, 
Dankwart,  Volker  (his  minstrel),  Gary,  and  Ortwine,  and  by  one 
thousand  picked  men  as  escort.  Before  leaving  he  intrusted  his 
wife,  Brunhild,  and  his  son  to  the  care  of  Rumolt,  his  squire,  and 
bidding  farewell  to  his  people,  set  out  for  Hungary,  whence  he 
was  never  to  return. 

In  the  mean  while  the  Hungarian  minstrels  had  hastened  back 
to  Gran  to  announce  the  guests'  coming,  and,  upon  being  closely 
questioned  by  Kriemhild,  described  Hagen's  grim  behavior,  and 
repeated  his  half-muttered  prophecy :  "  This  jaunt's  a  jaunt  to 
death." 

The  Burgundians,  who  in  this  part  of  the  poem  are  frequently 
called  Nibelungs  (because  they  now  held  the  great  hoard),  reached 
the  Danube  on  the  twelfth  day.  As  they  found  neither  ford  nor 
ferry,  Hagen,  after  again  prophesying  all  manner  of  evil,  volun- 
teered to  go  in  search  of  a  boat  or  raft  to  cross  the  rapid  stream. 

He  had  not  gone  very  far  before  he  heard  the  sound  of  voices, 
and,  peeping  through  the  bushes,  saw  some  swan  maidens,  or  "  wise 
women,"  bathing  in  a  neighboring  fountain.  Steal-  Prophecy  of  the 
ing  up  unperceived,  he  secured  their  plumage,  ^^^^  maidens, 
which  he  consented  to  restore  only  after  they  had  predicted  the 
result  of  his  journey.  To  obtain  her  garments,  one  of  the  women, 
Hadburg,  prophesied  great  good  fortune ;  but  when  the  pilfered 
robes  were  restored,  another,  called  Siegelind,  foretold  much  woe. 

"  'I  will  warn  thee,  Hagen,  thou  son  of  Aldrian; 
My  aunt  has  lied  unto  thee  her  raiment  back  to  get ; 
If  once  thou  com'st  to  Hungary,  thou'rt  taken  in  the  net. 

"  'Turn  while  there's  time  for  safety,  turn,  warriors  most  and  least; 
For  this,  and  for  this  only,  you're  bidden  to  the  feast, 
That  you  perforce  may  perish  in  Etzel's  bloody  land. 
Whoever  rideth  thither,  Death  has  he  close  at  hand.'  " 

Nibclnngenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

After  adding  that  the  chaplain  alone  would  return  alive  to 
Worms,  she  told  Hagen  that  he  would  iind  a  ferryman  on  the 


7^)  LEGEXns    OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

opposite  side  of  the  river,  farther  down,  but  that  he  would  not 
obey  his  call  unless  he  declared  his  name  to  be  Amelrich. 

Hagen,  after  leaving  the  wise  women,  soon  saw  the  ferryman's 
boat  anchored  to  the  opposite  shore,  and  failing  to  make  him 
come  over  for  a  promised  reward,  he  cried  out  that  his  name  was 
Amelrich.  The  ferryman  immediately  crossed,  but  when  Hagen 
sprang  into  his  boat  he  detected  the  fraud  and  began  to  fight. 
Although  gigantic  in  size,  this  ferryman  was  no  match  for  Hagen, 
who,  after  slaying  him,  took  possession  of  the  boat  and  skillfully 
ferried  his  masters  and  companions  across  the  river. 

In  hope  of  giving  the  lie  to  the  swan  maidens,  Hagen  paused 
once  in  the  middle  of  the  stream  to  fling  the  chaplain  overboard, 
thinking  he  would  surely  drown  ;  but  to  his  surprise  and  dismay 
the  man  struggled  back  to  the  shore,  where  he  stood  alone  and 
unharmed,  and  whence  he  slowly  wended  his  way  back  to  Bur- 
gundy. Hagen  now  knew  that  the  swan  maidens'  prophecy  was 
destined  to  be  fulfilled.  Nevertheless  he  landed  on  the  opposite 
shore,  where  he  bade  the  main  part  of  the  troop  ride  on  ahead, 
leaving  him  and  Dankwart  to  bring  up  the  rear,  for  he  fully 
expected  that  Gelfrat,  master  of  the  murdered  ferryman,  would 
pursue  them  to  avenge  the  latter's  death.  These  previsions  were 
soon  verified,  and  in  the  bloody  encounter  which  ensued,  Hagen 
came  off  victor,  with  the  loss  of  but  four  men,  while  the  enemy 
left  more  than  one  hundred  dead  upon  the  field. 

Hagen  joined  the  main  body  of  the  army  once  more,  passed 
on  with  it  to  Passau,  where  Bishop  Pilgrim  was  as  glad  to  see  his 

The  first        nephews  as  he  had  been  to  welcome  his  niece,  and 

warning.  from  thencc  went  on  to  the  frontiers  of  Bechlaren. 
There  they  found  Eckewart,  who  had  been  sent  by  Riidiger  to 
warn  them  not  to  advance  any  farther,  as  he  suspected  that  some 

treachery  was  afoot. 

"  Sir  Eckewart  replied : 
*  Yet  much,  I  own,  it  grieves  me  that  to  the  Huns  you  ride. 
You  took  the  life  of  Siegfried ;  all  hate  you  deadly  here ; 
As  your  true  friend  I  warn  you;  watch  well,  and  wisely  fear.'" 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 


THE   XIBELl'NGEXLIED.  77 

As  the  Burgundians  would  have  deemed  themselves  forever 
disgraced  were  they  to  withdraw  from  their  purpose,  they  refused 
to  listen  to  this  warning,  and.  entering  Riidiger's  castle,  were 
warmly  received  by  him  and  his  family.  Giselhcr,  seeing  the 
beauty  of  the  maiden  Dietelinde,  fell  deeply  in  love  with  her, 
and  prevailed  upon  the  margrave  to  consent  to  their  immediate 
marriage,  promising,  however,  to  claim  and  bear  away  his  bride 
only  upon  his  homeward  journey.  Once  more  gifts  were  lavished 
with  mediaeval  profusion,  Gunther  receiving  a  coat  of  mail,  Ger- 
not  a  sword,  Hagen  a  shield,  and  the  minstrel  Volker  many  rings 
of  red  gold. 

Riidiger  then  escorted  the  Burgundians  until  they  met   the 
brave  Dietrich  von  Bern  (Verona),  who  also  warned      The  second 
them  that  their  visit  was  fraught  with  danger,  for        warning. 
Kriemhild  had  by  no  means  forgotten  the  murder  of  the  husband 
of  her  youth. 

His  evil  prognostications  were  also  of  no  avail,  and  he  sadly 
accompanied  them  until  they  met  Kriemhild,  who  embraced 
Giselher  only.  Then,  turning  suddenly  upon  Hagen,  she  inquired 
aloud,  in  the  presence  of  all  the  people,  whether  he  had  brought 
her  back  her  own,  the  Nibelung  hoard.  Nothing  daunted  by  this 
sudden  query,  Hagen  haughtily  answered  that  the  treasure  still 
lay  deep  in  the  Rhine,  where  he  fancied  it  would  rest  until  the 
judgment  day. 

"  *  r  faith,  my  Lady  Kriemhild,  'tis  now  full  many  a  day 
Since  in  my  power  the  treasure  of  the  Nibelungers  lay. 
In  the  Rhine  my  lords  bade  sink  it;   I  did  their  bidding  fain, 
And  in  the  Rhine,  I  warrant,  till  doomsday  'twill  remain.'" 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr. ). 

The  queen  turned  her  back  contemptuously  upon  him,  and  in- 
vited her  other  guests  to  lay  aside  their  weapons,  for  none  might 
enter  the  great  hall  armed.  This  Hagen  refused  to  allow  them 
to  do,  saying  that  he  feared  treachery  ;  and  the  queen,  pretending 
great  giief,  inquired  who  could  have  filled  her  kinsmen's  hearts 


78  LEGENDS    OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

with  such  unjust  suspicions.  Sir  Dietrich  then  boldly  stepped 
forward,  defied  Kriemhild,  and  declared  that  it  was  he  who  had 
bidden  the  Burgundians  be  thus  on  their  guard. 

"  '  'Twas  I  that  the  warning  to  the  noble  princes  gave, 
And  to  their  liegeman  Hagen,  to  whom  such  hate  thou  bear'st. 
Now  up,  she- fiend  !  be  doing,  and  harm  me  if  thou  dar'st ! '" 

Nibdunge7ilied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

Although  the  thirst  for  revenge  now  made  her  a  "  she-fiend," 
as  he  termed  her,  Kriemhild  did  not  dare  openly  to  attack  Die- 
n  b  trich,  whom  all  men  justly  feared  ;  and  she  quickly 
tween  Hagen  coucealcd  her  anger,  while  Etzel  advanced  in  his 
and  Voiker.  ^^^^  ^^  wclcomc  his  guests,  and  especially  singled 
out  Hagen,  his  friend's  son.  While  many  of  the  Burgundians 
accompanied  the  king  into  the  hall,  Hagen  drew  Voiker  aside, 
and,  sitting  down  on  a  stone  seat  near  Kriemhild's  door,  entered 
into  a  life-and-death  alliance  with  him.  Kriemhild,  looking  out 
of  her  window,  saw  him  there  and  bade  her  followers  go  out  and 
slay  him ;  but  although  they  numbered  four  hundred,  they  hung 
back,  until  the  queen,  thinking  that  they  doubted  her  assertions, 
volunteered  to  descend  alone  and  wring  from  Hagen  a  confession 
of  his  crimes,  while  they  lingered  within  earshot  inside  the  build- 
ing. Voiker,  seeing  the  queen  approach,  proposed  to  Hagen  to 
rise  and  show  her  the  customary  respect ;  but  the  latter,  declaring 
that  she  would  ascribe  this  token  of  decorum  to  fear  alone,  grimly 
bade  him  remain  seated,  and,  when  she  addressed  him,  boldly 
acknowledged  that  he  alone  had  slain  Siegfried. 

"  Said  he,  '  Why  question  further?  that  were  a  waste  of  breath. 
In  a  word,  I  am  e'en  Hagen,  who  Siegfried  did  to  death. 


"  '  What  I  have  done,  proud  princess,  I  never  will  deny. 
The  cause  of  all  the  mischief,  the  wrong,  the  loss,  am  I. 
So  now,  or  man  or  woman,  revenge  it  whoso  will; 
I  scorn  to  speak  a  falsehood,  —  I've  done  you  grievous  ill.'  " 

Nibehmgetilied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 


i 


THE   NIBELUNGExXLIED.  79 

But  although  the  warriors  had  heard  every  word  he  said,  and 
the  queen  again  urged  them  on  to  attack  her  foe,  they  one  and 
all  withdrew  after  meeting  one  of  Hagen's  threatening  glances. 
This  episode,  however,  was  enough  to  show  the  Burgundians  very 
plainly  what  they  could  expect,  and  Hagen  and  Volker  soon 
joined  their  companions,  keeping  ever  side  by  side,  according  to 
their  agreement. 

"  Howe'er  the  rest  were  coupled,  as  mov'd  to  court  the  train, 
Folker  and  Hagen  parted  ne'er  again, 
Save  in  one  mortal  struggle,  e'en  to  their  dying  hour." 

NibelungenlUd  (Lettsom's  tr,). 

After  banqueting  with  Etzel  the  guests  were  led  to  their  ap- 
pointed quarters,  far  remote  from  those  of  their  squires;  and 
when  the  Huns  began  to  crowd  them,  Hagen  again  frightened 
them  off  with  one  of  his  black  looks.  When  the  hall  where  they 
were  to  sleep  was  finally  reached,  the  knights  all  lay  down  to 
rest  except  Hagen  and  Yolker,  who  mounted  guard,  the  latter 
beguiling  the  hours  by  playing  on  his  fiddle. 

Once,  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  these  self-appointed  sentinels 
saw  an  armed  troop  draw  near ;  but  when  they  loudly  challenged 
the  foremost  men,  they  beat  a  hasty  retreat.  At  dawn  of  day 
the  knights  arose  to  go  to  mass,  wearing  their  arms  by  Hagen's 
advice,  keeping  well  together,  and  presenting  such  a  threatening 
aspect  that  Kriemhild's  men  dared  not  attack  them. 

In  spite  of  all  these  signs,  Etzel  remained  entirely  ignorant  of 
his  wife's  evil  designs,  and  continued  to  treat  the  Burgundians 
like  friends  and  kinsmen. 

"  How  deep  soe'er  and  deadly  the  hate  she  bore  her  kin, 
Still,  had  the  truth  by  any  disclos'd  to  Etzel  been. 
He  had  at  once  prevented  what  aftenvards  befell. 
Through  proud  contemptuous  courage  they  scom'd  their  wrongs 
to  tell." 

NibelungenlUd  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

After  mass  a  tournament  was  held,  Dietrich  and  Riidiger  virtu- 
ously abstaining  from  taking  part  in  it,  lest  some  mishap  should 


8o  LEGEXDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

occur  through  their  bravery,  and  fan  into  flames  the  smoldering 

fire  of  discord.     In  spite  of  all  these  precautions,  however,  the 

Beginning  of    threatened  disruption  nearly  occurred  when  Volker 

hostilities.  accidentally  slew  a  Hun ;  and  it  was  avoided  only 
by  King  Etzel's  prompt  interference. 

Kriemhild,  hearing  of  this  accident,  vainly  tried  to  use  it  as  an 
excuse  to  bribe  Dietrich,  or  his  man  Hildebrand,  to  slay  her  foe. 
She  finally  won  over  Blodelin,  the  king's  brother,  by  promising  him 
a  fair  bride.  To  earn  this  reward  the  prince  went  with  an  armed 
host  to  the  hall  where  all  the  Burgundian  squires  were  feasting 
under  Dankwart's  care,  and  there  treacherously  slew  them  all, 
Dankwart  alone  escaping  to  the  king's  hall  to  join  his  brother 
Hagen. 

In  the  mean  while  Etzel  was  entertaining  his  mailed  guests, 
and  had  sent  for  his  little  son,  whom  he  placed  in  Gunther's  lap, 
telling  him  that  he  would  soon  send  the  boy  to  Burgundy  to  be 
educated  among  his  mother's  kin. 

All  admired  the  graceful  child  except  Hagen,  who  gruffly  re- 
marked that  the  child  appeared  more  likely  to  die  early  than  to 
live  to  grow  up.  He  had  just  finished  this  rude  speech,  which 
filled  Etzel's  heart  with  dismay,  when  Dankwart  burst  into  the 
room,  exclaiming  that  all  his  companions  had  been  slain,  and 
calling  to  Hagen  for  aid. 

"  '  Be  stirring,  brother  Hagen  ;  you're  sitting  all  too  long. 
To  you  and  God  in  heaven  our  deadly  strait  I  plain  : 
Yeomen  and  knights  together  lie  in  their  quarters  slain.'  " 

Nibelung-enlied  (LcXX&om'&  tr.). 

The  moment  Hagen  heard  these  tidings  he  sprang  to  his  feet, 
drew  his  sword,  and  bade  Dankwart  guard  the  door  and  pre- 
vent the  ingress  or  egress  of  a  single  Hungarian. 

Ortlieb  slain.  °  °  .  . 

Then  he  struck  off  the  head  of  the  child  Ortlieb, 
which  bounded  into  Kriemhild's  lap,  cut  off  the  minstrel  Werbel's 
hand,  and  began  hewing  right  and  left  among  the  Hungarians, 
aided  by  all  his  companions,  who  manfully  followed  his  example. 


THE  NIBELUNGENLIED.  8i 

Dismaj^ed  at  this  sudden  turn  of  affairs,  the  aged  King  Etzel 
"  sat  in  mortal  anguish,"  helplessly  watching  the  massacre,  while 
Kriemhild  shrieked  aloud  to  Dietrich  to  protect  her  from  her  foes. 
Moved  to  pity  by  her  evident  terror,  Dietrich  blew  a  resounding 
blast  on  his  horn,  and  Gunther  paused  in  his  work  of  destruction 
to  inquire  how  he  might  serve  the  man  who  had  ever  shown  him- 
self a  friend.  Dietrich  answered  by  asking  for  a  safe-conduct 
out  of  the  hall  for  himself  and  his  followers,  which  was  immedi- 
ately granted. 

"  '  Let  me  with  your  safe-conduct  this  hall  of  Etzel's  leave, 
And  quit  this  bloody  banquet  with  those  who  follow  me ; 
And  for  this  grace  forever  I'll  at  your  service  be.' " 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsoni's  tr. ). 

Dietrich  von  Bern  then  passed  out  of  the  hall  unmolested,  lead- 
ing the  king  by  one  hand  and  the  queen  by  the  other,  and  closely 
followed  by  all  his  retainers.    This  same  privilege 

1         T-.  ■■  T  11-/-        1  1       ,  The  massacre. 

was  granted  to  Rudiger  and  his  five  hundred  men  ; 
but  when  these  had  all  passed  out,  the  Burgundians  renewed  the 
bloody  fight,  nor  paused  until  all  the  Huns  in  the  hall  were  slain, 
and  everything  was  reeking  with  blood. 

Then  the  Burgundians  gathered  up  the  corpses,  which  they  flung 
down  the  staircase,  at  the  foot  of  which  Etzel  stood,  helplessly 
wringing  his  hands,  and  vainly  trying  to  discover  some  means  of 
stopping  the  fight. 

Kriemhild,  in  the  mean  while,  was  actively  employed  in  gath- 
ering men,  promising  large  rewards  to  any  one  who  would  attack 
and  slay  Hagen.  Urged  on  by  her,  Iring  attempted  to  force  an 
entrance,  but  was  soon  driven  back ;  and  when  he  would  have 
made  a  second  assault,  Hagen  ruthlessly  slew  him, 

Irnfried  the  Thuringian,  and  Hawart  the  Dane,  seeing  him 
fall,  rushed  impetuously  upon  the  Burgundians  to  avenge  him  ;  but 
both  fell  under  Hagen's  and  Volker's  mighty  blows,  while  their 
numerous  followers  were  all  slain  by  the  other  Burgundians. 


82  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

*'  A  thousand  and  four  together  had  come  into  the  hall; 
You  might  see  the  broadswords  flashing  rise  and  fall; 
Soon  the  bold  intruders  all  dead  together  lay ; 
Of  those  renown'd  Burgundians  strange  marvels  one  might  say." 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

Etzel  and  the  Huns  were  mourning  over  their  dead ;  so  the 
weary  Burgundians  removed  their  helmets  and  rested,  while 
Kriemhild  continued  to  muster  new  troops  to  attack  her  kinsmen, 
who  were  still  strongly  intrenched  in  the  great  hall. 

"  'Twas  e'en  on  a  midsummer  befell  that  murderous  fight. 
When  on  her  nearest  kinsmen  and  many  a  noble  knight 
Dame  Kriemhild  wreak'd  the  anguish  that  long  in  heart  she  bore, 
Whence  inly  griev'd  King  Etzel,  nor  joy  knew  evermore. 

"  Yet  on  such  sweeping  slaughter  at  first  she  had  not  thought; 
She  only  had  for  vengeance  on  one  transgressor  sought. 
She  wish'd  that  but  on  Hagen  the  stroke  of  death  might  fall ; 
'Twas  the  foul  fiend's  contriving  that  they  should  perish  all." 

Nibehatgcnlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

An  attempt  was  now  made  by  the  Burgundians  to  treat  with 
Etzel  for  a  safe-conduct.  Obdurate  at  first,  he  would  have 
yielded  had  not  Kriemhild  advised  him  to  ptu-sue  the  feud  to  the 
bitter  end,  unless  her  brothers  consented  to  surrender  Hagen  to 
her  tender  mercies.  This,  of  course,  Gunther  absolutely  refused 
to  do  ;  so  Kriemhild  gave  secret  orders  that  the  hall  in  which  the 
Burgundians  were  intrenched  should  be  set  on  fire.  Surrounded 
by  bitter  foes,  blinded  by  smoke,  and  overcome  by  the  heat,  the 
Burgundians  still  held  their  own,  slaking  their  burning  thirst  by 
drinking  the  blood  of  the  slain,  and  taking  refuge  from  the  flames 
under  the  stone  arches  which  supported  the  ceiling  of  the  hall. 

Thus  they  managed  to  survive  that  terrible  night ;  but  when 

morning  dawned  and  the  queen  heard  that  they  were  still  alive,  she 

bade  Riidiger  go  forth  and  fight  them.     He  refused 

Rudiger's  oath.  .  .  .  ° 

until  she  remmded  him  of  the  solemn  oath  he  had 
sworn  to  her  in  Worms  before  she  would  consent  to  accompany 
him  to  Hungary. 


'J'lIE   AIBELUNGEXLIED.  83 

"  '  Now  think  upon  the  homage  that  once  to  me  you  swore, 
When  to  the  Rhine,  good  warrior,  King  Etzcl's  suit  you  bore, 
That  you  would  serve  me  ever  to  either's  dying  day. 
Ne'er  can  I  need  so  deeply  that  you  that  vow  should  pay.' " 

Nibelungetilied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

Torn  by  conflicting  feelings  and  urged  by  opposite  oaths, — for 
he  had  also  sworn  to  befriend  the  Burgundians,  — Riidiger  now 
vainly  tried  to  ptirchase  his  release  by  the  sacrifice  of  all  his  pos- 
sessions. At  last,  goaded  to  madness,  he  yielded  to  the  king's 
and  queen's  entreaties,  armed  his  warriors,  and  drew  near  the  hall 
where  his  former  guests  were  intrenched.  At  first  they  could  not 
believe  that  Riidiger  had  any  hostile  intentions ;  but  when  he 
pathetically  informed  them  that  he  must  fight,  and  recommended 
his  wife  and  daughter  to  their  care  in  case  he  fell,  they  silently 
allowed  him  and  his  followers  to  enter  the  hall,  and  grimly  re- 
newed the  bloody  conflict. 

Riidiger,  after  slaying  many  foes,  encountered  Gemot  wield- 
ing the  sword  he  had  given  him ;  and  these  two  doughty  cham- 
pions finally  slew  each  other.  All  the  followers  of  Death  of 
Riidiger  also  fell ;  and  when  Kriemhild,  who  was  Riidiger. 
anxiously  awaiting  the  result  of  this  new  attack  in  the  court 
below,  saw  his  corpse  among  the  slain,  she  began  to  weep  and 
bemoan  her  loss.  The  mournful  tidings  of  Riidiger's  death  soon 
spread  all  over  the  town  and  came  finally  to  the  ears  of  Dietrich 
von  Bern,  who  bade  his  man  Hildebrand  go  and  claim  the  corpse 
from  his  Burgundian  friends. 

Hildebrand  went  thither  with  an  armed  force,  but  some  of  his 
men  unfortunately  began  to  bandy  words  with  the  Burgundians, 
and  this  soon  brought  about  an  impetuous  fight.  In  the  ensuing 
battle  all  the  Burgundians  fell  except  Gunther  and  Hagen,  while 
Hildebrand  escaped  sore  wounded  to  his  master,  Dietrich  von 
Bern.  When  this  hero  heard  that  his  nephew  and  vassals  were 
all  slain,  he  quickly  armed  himself,  and,  after  vainly  imploring 
Gunther  and  Hagen  to  surrender,  fell  upon  them  with  an  armed 
force.     The  two  sole  remaining  Burgundians  were  now  so  ex- 


84  LEGENDS   OE   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

hausted  that  Dietrich  soon  managed  to  take  them  captive.  He 
led  them  bound  to  Kriemhild,  and  implored  her  to  have  pity  upon 
them  and  spare  their  hves. 

"  '  Fair  and  noble  Kriemhild,'  thus  Sir  Dietrich  spake, 
'  Spare  this  captive  warrior,  who  full  amends  will  make 
For  all  his  past  transgressions;  him  here  in  bonds  you  see; 
Revenge  not  on  the  fetter'd  th'  offenses  of  the  free.'" 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

By  the  queen's  orders,  Gunther  and  Hagen  were  confined  in 
separate  cells.    There  she  soon  sought  the  latter,  promising  him  his 

Kriemhiid's  liberty  if  he  would  but  reveal  the  place  where  her 
cruelty.  treasure  was  concealed.  But  Hagen,  mistrusting 
her,  declared  that  he  had  solemnly  sworn  never  to  reveal  the 
secret  as  long  as  one  of  his  masters  breathed.  Kriemhild,  whose 
cruelty  had  long  passed  all  bounds,  left  him  only  to  have  her 
brother  Gunther  beheaded,  and  soon  returned  carrying  his  head, 
which  she  showed  to  Hagen,  commanding  him  to  speak.  But 
he  still  refused  to  gratify  her,  and  replied  that  since  he  was  now 
the  sole  depositary  of  the  secret,  it  would  perish  with  him. 

"  '  So  now,  where  lies  the  treasure  none  knows  save  God  and  me, 
And  told  it  shall  be  never,  be  sure,  she-fiend,  to  thee  ! ' " 

Nibelungenlied  (Lettsom's  tr.). 

This  defiant  answer  so  exasperated  Kriemhild  that  she  seized 
the  sword  hanging  by  his  side, — which  she  recognized  as  Sieg- 

Kriemhiid       fn'ed's  favorite  weapon, — and  with  her  own  hands 

slain.  (^.^{^  Qfl[  Ya<^  head  before  Etzel  or  any  of  his  courtiers 

could  interfere.     Hildebrand,  seeing  this  act  of  treachery,  sprang 

impetuou.sly  forward,  and,  drawing  his  sword,  slew  her  who  had 

brought  untold  misery  into  the  land  of  the  Huns. 

"  The  mighty  and  the  noble  there  lay  together  dead; 
For  this  had  all  the  people  dole  and  drearihead. 
The  feast  of  royal  Etzel  was  thus  shut  up  in  woe. 
Pain  in  the  steps  of  Pleasure  treads  ever  here  below. 


77/A    NIBELUNGENIJRD.  S5 

''  "Tis  more  than  I  can  tell  you  what  afterwards  befell, 
Save  that  there  was  weeping  for  friends  belov'd  so  well; 
Knights  and  squires,  dames  and  damsels,  were  seen  lamenting  all. 
So  end  I  here  my  story.     This  is  the  Nibelungers'  Fall." 

Nibebingeiilied  (I.ettsom's  tr.). 

Although  the  "  Nibelungenlied  "  proper  ends  here,  an  appen- 
dix, probably  by  another  hand,  called  the  "  Lament,"  continues 
the  story,  and  relates  how  Etzel,  Dietrich,  and  Hildebrand,  in 
turn,  extolled  the  high  deeds  and  bewailed  the  untimely  end  of 
each  hero.  Then  this  poem,  which  is  as  mournful  as  monoto- 
nous throughout,  describes  the  departure  of  the  messengers  sent  to 
bear  the  evil  tidings  and  the  weapons  of  the  slain  to  Worms,  and 
their  arrival  at  Passau,  where  more  tears  were  shed  and  where 
Bishop  Pilgrim  celebrated  a  solemn  mass  for  the  rest  of  the 
heroes'  souls. 

From  thence  the  funeral  procession  slowly  traveled  on  to  Worms, 
where  the  sad  news  was  imparted  to  the  remaining  Burgundians, 
who  named  the  son  of  Gunther  and  Brunhild  as  their  king,  and 
who  never  forgot  the  fatal  ride  to  Hungary. 


CHAPTER    V. 

LANGOBARDIAN    CYCLE    OF    MYTHS. 

Although  the  following  tales  of  mythical  heroes  have  some 
slight  historical  basis,  they  have  been  so  adorned  by  the  fancy  of 
mediaeval  bards,  and  so  frequently  remodeled  with  utter  disregard 
of  all  chronological  sequence,  that  the  kernel  of  truth  is  very  hard 
to  find,  and  the  stories  must  rather  be  considered  as  depicting 
customs  and  times  than  as  describing  actual  events.  They  are 
recorded  in  the  "  Heldenbuch,"  or  "  Book  of  Heroes,"  edited 
in  the  fifteenth  centmy  by  Kaspar  von  der  Rhon  from  materials 
which  had  been  touched  up  by  Wolfram  von  Eschenbach  and 
Heinrich  von  Ofterdingen  in  the  twelfth  century.  The  poem  of 
"  Ortnit,"  for  instance,  is  known  to  have  existed  as  early  as  the 
ninth  century. 

According  to  the  poets  of  the  middle  ages,  the  Gepidae  and  the 
Langobards  settled  in  Pannonia  (Hungary  and  the  neighboring 
The  Langobards  proviuces),  where  they  were  respectively  governed 
and  Gepidae.  i^y  ThuTisind  and  Audoin.  The  sons  of  these  two 
kings,  having  quarreled  for  a  trifle,  met  in  duel  soon  after,  and 
the  Langobardian  prince,  having  slain  his  companion,  took  pos- 
session of  his  arms,  with  which  he  proudly  returned  home. 

But  when,  flushed  with  victory,  he  would  fain  have  taken  his 
seat  at  his  father's  board  with  the  men  at  arms,  Audoin  gravely 
informed  him  that  it  was  not  customary  for  a  youth  to  claim  a 
place  beside  tried  warriors  until  some  foreign  king  had  distin- 
guished him  by  the  present  of  a  complete  suit  of  armor.  Angry 
at  being  thus  publicly  repulsed,  Alboin,  the  prince,  strode  out  of 

86 


LANGOBARDIAN  CYCLE    OF  MYTHS.  87 

his  father's  hall,  resolved  to  march  into  Thurisind's  palace  and 
demand  of  him  the  required  weapons. 

When  the  King  of  the  Gepidae  saw  his  son's  murderer  boldly 
enter  his  palace,  his  first  impulse  was  to  put  him  to  death ;  but, 
respecting  the  rights  of  hospitality,  he  forbore  to  take  immediate 
vengeance,  and  even  bestowed  upon  him  the  customary  gift  of 
arms  as  he  departed  on  the  morrow,  but  warned  him  never  to  re- 
turn, lest  he  should  lose  his  life  at  the  warriors'  hands.  On  leaving 
the  palace,  however,  Alboin  bore  away  the  image  of  little  Rosa- 
mund, Thurisind's  fair  granddaughter,  whom  he  solemnly  swore 
he  would  claim  as  wife  as  soon  as  she  was  of  marriageable  age. 

Alboin  having  thus  received  his  arms  from  a  stranger,  the 
Langobards  no  longer  refused  to  recognize  him  as  a  full-fledged 
warrior,  and  gladly  hailed  him  as  king  when  his  father  died. 

Shortly  after  Alboin's  accession  to  the  throne,  a  quarrel  arose 
between  the  Gepidse  and  the  Langobards,  or  Lombards,  as  they 
were  eventually  called ;  and  war  having  been  de-  Aiboin's 
clared,  a  decisive  battle  was  fought,  in  which  Thur-  cruelty, 
isind  and  his  son  perished,  and  all  their  lands  fell  into  the  con- 
queror's hands.  With  true  heathen  cruelty,  the  Lombard  king 
had  the  skulls  of  the  Gepidse  mounted  as  drinking  vessels,  which 
he  delighted  in  using  on  all  state  and  festive  occasions.  Then, 
pushing  onwards,  Alboin  took  forcible  possession  of  his  new  realm 
and  of  the  tearful  young  Rosamund,  whom  he  forced  to  become 
his  wife,  although  she  shrank  in  hoiTor  from  the  murderer  of  all 
her  kin  and  the  oppressor  of  her  people. 

She  followed  him  home,  concealing  her  fears,  and  although  she 
never  seemed  blithe  and  happy,  she  obeyed  her  husband  so  im- 
phcitly  that  he  fancied  her  a  devoted  wife.  He  was  so  accus- 
tomed to  Rosamund's  ready  compliance  with  his  every  wish  that 
one  day,  after  winning  a  great  victory  over  the  Ostrogoths,  and 
conquering  a  province  in  northern  Italy  (where  he  took  up  his 
abode,  and  which  bears  the  name  of  his  race),  he  bade  her  fill  her 
father's  skull  with  wine  and  pledge  him  by  drinking  first  out  of 
this  repulsive  cup. 


88  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

The  queen  hesitated,  but,  impelled  by  Alboin's  threatening 
glances  and  his  mailed  hand  raised  to  strike  her,  she  tremblingly 
Rosamund's  filled  the  cup  and  raised  it  to  her  lips.  But  then, 
revolt.  instead  of  humbly  presenting  it  to  her  lord,  she 

haughtily  dashed  it  at  his  feet,  and  left  the  hall,  saying  that  though 
she  had  obeyed  him,  she  would  never  again  live  with  him  as 
his  wife, — a  declaration  which  the  warriors  present  secretly  ap- 
plauded, for  they  all  thought  that  their  king  had  been  wantonly 
cruel  toward  his  beautiful  wife. 

While  Alboin  was  pondering  how  he  might  concihate  her  with- 
out owning  himself  in  the  wrong,  Rosamund  summoned  Helmigis, 
the  king's  shield-bearer,  and  finding  that  he  would  not  execute  her 
orders  and  murder  his  master  in  his  sleep,  she  secured  the  services 
of  the  giant  Perideus.  Before  the  murder  of  the  king  became  gen- 
erally known,  Rosamund  and  her  adherents — for  she  had  many 
— secured  and  concealed  the  treasures  of  the  Crown  ;  and  when 
the  nobles  bade  her  marry  a  man  to  succeed  their  king,  who  had 
left  no  heirs,  she  declared  that  she  preferred  Helmigis. 

The  Langobardian  nobles  indignantly  refused  to  recognize  an 
armor-bearer  as  their  king,  and  Rosamund,  fearing  their  resent- 

Death  of       mcut,  fled  by  night  with  her  treasures,  and  took 

Rosamund,  refuge  with  Longinus,  viceroy  of  the  Eastern  em- 
peror, who  was  intrenched  in  Ravenna.  Captivated  by  the  fugi- 
tive queen's  exquisite  beauty,  no  less  than  by  her  numerous 
treasures,  Longinus  proposed  that  she  should  poison  Helmigis, 
and  marry  him.  Rosamund  obediently  handed  the  deadly  cup 
to  her  faithful  adorer ;  but  he  drank  only  half  its  contents,  and 
then,  perceiving  that  he  was  poisoned,  forced  her,  at  the  point 
of  his  sword,  to  drink  the  remainder,  thus  making  sure  that  she 
would  not  long  survive  him. 

Longinus,  thus  deprived  of  a  beautiful  bride,  managed  to  con- 
sole himself  for  her  loss  by  appropriating  her  treasures,  while  the 
Langobardian  scepter,  after  having  been  wielded  bv  different 
kings,  fell  at  last  into  the  hands  of  Rother,  the  last  influential 
monarch  of  a  kingdom  which  Charlemagne  conquered  in  ^74. 


LANGOBARDIAN  CYCLE    OF  MYTHS.  89 

Rother  established  his  capital  at  Bari,  a  great  seaport  in  Apu- 
lia ;  but  although  his  wealth  was  unbounded  and  his  kingdom  ex- 
tensive, he  was  far  from  happy,  for  he  had  neither 

T  -1  ,  T  •      1  r.      •  1  •  Rother. 

wife  nor  child  to  share  his  home.  Seeing  his 
loneliness,  one  of  his  courtiers,  Duke  Berchther  (Berchtung)  of 
Meran,  the  father  of  twelve  stalwart  sons,  advised  him  to  seek  a 
wife ;  and  when  Rother  declared  that  he  knew  of  no  princess 
pretty  enough  to  please  his  fastidious  taste,  the  courtier  produced 
the  portrait  of  Oda,  daughter  of  Constantine,  Emperor  of  the  East. 
Rother  fell  desperately  in  love  with  this  princess  at  first  sight. 
In  vain  Berchther  warned  him  that  the  emperor  had  the  unpleas- 
ant habit  of  beheading  all  his  daughter's  would-be  suitors  ;  Rother 
declared  that  he  must  make  an  attempt  to  secure  this  peerless 
bride,  and  was  only  with  great  difficulty  persuaded  to  resign  the 
idea  of  wooing  in  person. 

When  Berchther  had  prevailed  upon  him  to  send  an  imposing 
embassy  of  twelve  noblemen,  richly  appareled,  and  attended  by 
a  large  suite,  Rother  asked  who  would  undertake  the  mission. 
All  the  warriors  maintained  a  neutral  silence,  until  seven  of 
Berchther's  sons  volunteered  their  services,  and  then  five  other 
noblemen  signilied  their  readiness  to  accompany  them. 

To  speed  them  on  their  way,  Rother  escorted  them  to  the  port, 
and,  standing  on  the  pier,  composed  and  sang  a  marvelous  song. 
He  bade  them  remember  the  tune,  and  promised  them  that  when- 
ever they  heard  it  they  might  be  sure  their  king  was  very  near. 

Arrived  at  Constantinople,  the  ambassadors  made  known  their 
errand,  but  were  immediately  cast  into  prison,  in  spite  of  the 
empress's  intercession  in  their  behalf.  Here  the  Embassy  to 
noblemen  languished  month  after  month,  in  a  foul  Constantinople, 
dungeon,  while  Rother  impatiently  watched  for  their  return. 
When  a  whole  year  had  elapsed  without  his  having  heard  any 
tidings,  he  finally  resolved  to  go  in  disguise  to  Constantinople,  to 
ascertain  the  fate  of  his  men  and  win  the  lovely  princess  Oda  for 
his  bride. 

Berchther,  hearing  this  decision,  vowed  that  he  would  accoin- 


90  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

pany  him ;  but  although  all  the  noblemen  were  anxious  to  escort 
their  beloved  king,  he  took  only  a  few  of  them  with  him,  among 
whom  was  Asprian  (Osborn),  king  of  the  northern  giants,  with 
eleven  of  his  tallest  men. 

Rother  embarked  with  this  Httle  train,  and  sailed  for  Constan- 
tinople over  the  summer  seas ;  and  as  he  sat  on  deck,  playing  on 

Rother  and  his  harp,  the  mermaids  rose  from  the  deep  to  sport 
Constantine.  around  his  ship.  According  to  a  prearranged  plan, 
Rother  presented  himself  before  Constantine  as  a  fugitive  and 
outlaw,  complaining  bitterly  of  the  King  of  the  Lombards,  who,  he 
declared,  had  banished  him  and  his  companions.  Pleased  with 
the  appearance  of  the  strangers,  Constantine  gladly  accepted  their 
proffered  services,  and  invited  them  to  a  banquet,  in  the  course 
of  which  he  facetiously  described  how  he  had  received  Rother's 
ambassadors,  who  were  still  languishing  in  his  dampest  dungeons. 
This  boastful  talk  gradually  roused  the  anger  of  the  giant  Asprian, 
who  was  but  little  accustomed  to  hide  his  feehngs  ;  and  when  the 
emperor's  pet  lioness  came  into  the  hall  and  playfully  snatched 
a  choice  morsel  out  of  his  hand,  he  impetuously  sprang  to  his 
feet,  caught  her  in  his  powerful  grasp,  and  hurled  her  against  the 
wall,  thus  slaying  her  with  a  single  blow. 

Constantine  was  somewhat  dismayed  when  he  saw  the  strength, 
and  especially  the  violence,  of  the  new  servants  he  had  secured ; 
but  he  wisely  took  no  notice  of  the  affair,  and,  when  the  banquet 
was  ended,  dismissed  Rother  and  his  followers  to  the  apartments 
assigned  them.  The  Lombard  king  now  freely  distributed  the 
immense  treasures  he  had  brought  with  him,  and  thus  secured 
many  adherents  at  court.  They  sang  his  praises  so  loudly  that 
at  last  the  princess  Oda  became  very  anxious  to  see  this  noted 
outlaw. 

Bribing  Herlind,  one  of  her  handmaidens,  to  serve  her  secretly, 
Oda  sent  her  to  Rother  to  invite  him  to  visit  her.     The  maiden 

Rother  and  acquitted  herself  adroitly  of  this  commission  ;  but 
^^^-  the   Langobardian  monarch,  pretending  exagger- 

ated respect,  declared  that  he  would  never  dare  present  himself 


LANGOBARDTAN  CYCLE    OF  MYTHS.  91 

before  her  beautiful  mistress,  to  whom,  however,  he  sent  many 
rich  gifts,  among  which  were  a  gold  and  a  silver  shoe.  Herlind 
retiu-ned  to  her  mistress  with  the  gifts  ;  but  when  Oda  would  fain 
have  put  on  the  shoes,  she  discovered  that  they  were  both  for  the 
same  foot.  She  then  feigned  a  resentment  she  was  far  from  feel- 
ing, and  bade  the  handmaiden  order  her  father's  new  servant  to 
appear  before  her  without  delay,  bringing  a  shoe  for  her  other  foot, 
unless  he  wished  to  incur  her  lasting  displeasure.  Overjoyed  at 
this  result  of  his  ruse,  which  he  had  foreseen,  Rother  entered  the 
princess's  apartments  unnoticed,  profTered  his  most  humble  apol- 
ogies, fitted  a  pair  of  golden  shoes  on  her  tiny  feet,  and,  taking 
advantage  of  his  position  as  he  bent  on  one  knee  before  her,  de- 
clared his  love  and  rank,  and  won  from  Oda  a  solemn  promise 
that  she  would  be  his  wife. 

The  lovers  spent  some  very  happy  hours  together  in  intimate 
conversation,  and  ere  Rother  left  the  apartment  he  prevailed  up- 
on the  princess  to  use  her  influence  in  behalf  of  his  imprisoned 
subjects.  She  therefore  told  her  father  that  her  peaceful  rest  had 
been  disturbed  by  dreams,  in  which  heavenly  voices  announced 
that  she  should  suffer  all  manner  of  evil  unless  Rother's  ambassa- 
dors were  taken  from  prison  and  hospitably  entertained.  Oda 
then  wrung  from  Constantine  a  promise  that  the  men  should  be 
temporarily  released,  and  feasted  at  his  own  board  that  selfsame 
evening.  This  promise  was  duly  redeemed,  and  the  twelve  am- 
bassadors, freed  from  their  chains,  and  refreshed  by  warm  baths 
and  clean  garments,  were  sumptuously  entertained  at  the  emperor's 
table.  While  they  sat  there  feasting,  Rother  entered  the  hall,  and, 
hiding  behind  the  tapestry  hangings  near  the  door,  played  the 
tune  they  had  heard  on  the  day  of  their  departure.  The  hearts 
of  the  captives  bounded  for  joy  when  they  heard  these  strains, 
for  they  knew  that  their  king  was  near  and  would  soon  effect 
their  release. 

A  few  days  later,  when  the  young  ambassadors  had  fully  re- 
covered their  health  and  strength,  Constantine  was  dismayed  to 
learn  that  Imelot,  King  of  Desert  Babylonia,  was  about  to  make 


92  LEGENDS   OF    77/ F.    M/J^D/.E   ACES. 

war  against  him,  and  wondered  how  he  could  successfully  en- 
counter such  a  universally  dreaded  opponent.     Rother,  seeing 

War  with  his  perplexity,  immediately  volunteered  his  services, 
imeiot.  adding  that  if  Constantine  liberated  the  ambassa- 
dors, who  were  mighty  men  of  valor,  and  allowed  them  to  fight, 
there  would  be  no  doubt  of  his  coming  off  conqueror  in  the  war. 
The  Eastern  emperor  gladly  followed  this  advice,  and  soon  set 
out  with  Rother  and  all  his  companions.  The  two  armies  met 
one  evening  and  encamped  opposite  each  other,  intending  to 
begin  the  fight  at  sunrise  on  the  morrow.  During  the  night, 
however,  Rother  and  his  companions  stole  into  the  enemy's  camp, 
slew  Imelot's  guards,  and  having  bound  and  gagged  him,  Asprian 
carried  him  bodily  out  of  his  tent  and  camp,  while  his  companions 
routed  all  the  mighty  Babylonian  host. 

A  few  hours  later  they  returned  to  the  camp  of  Constantine, 
where  they  lay  down  to  rest.  The  emperor,  entering  their  tent 
on  the  morrow  to  chide  them  for  their  laziness,  saw  the  captive 
Imeiot,  and  heard  the  story  of  the  night's  work.  He  was  so  de- 
lighted with  the  prowess  of  his  allies  that  he  gladly  consented  to 
their  return  to  Constantinople  to  announce  the  victory,  while  he 
and  his  army  remained  to  take  possession  of  Desert  Babylonia 
and  of  all  of  Imelot's  vast  treasures. 

Rother  and  his  companions  returned  in  haste  to  Constantinople 
and  rushed  into  the  palace ;  but  instead  of  announcing  a  victory 
they  told  the  empress  and  Oda  that  Constantine  had  been  de- 
feated, that  Imeiot  was  on  the  way  to  seize  the  city,  and  that 
the  emperor  had  sent  them  on  ahead  to  convey  his  wife  and 
daughter  to  a  place  of  safety,  with  their  most  valuable  treasures. 

The  empress  and  Oda,  crediting  every  w-ord  of  this  tale,  made 
immediate  preparations  for  departure,  and  soon  joined  Rother  on 

Kidnaping  tlic  pier,  where  his  fast  sailing  vessel  was  ready 
of  Oda.  ^Q  start.  All  the  Langobardians  had  already  em- 
barked, and  Rother  escorted  the  princess  on  board,  bidding  the 
empress  wait  on  the  quay  until  he  returned  for  her.  But  as  soon 
as  he  and  his  fair  charge  set  foot  upon  deck,  the  vessel  was  pushed 


LANGOBARDIAN   CYCLE    OF  MYTHS.  93 

off,  and  Rother  called  out  to  the  distressed  empress  that  he  had 
deceived  her  in  order  to  carry  away  her  daughter,  who  was  now 
to  become  the  Langobardian  queen. 

Constantine,  on  his  return,  was  of  course  very  angry  at  having 
been  so  cleverly  duped,  and  vainly  tried  to  devise  some  plan  for 
recovering  the  daughter  whom  he  loved  so  well.  When  a  magi- 
cian came,  therefore,  and  promised  to  execute  his  wishes,  he 
gladly  provided  him  with  vessel  and  crew  to  sail  to  Bari.  The 
magician,  disguised  as  a  peaceful  merchant,  spread  out  his  wares 
as  soon  as  he  was  anchored  in  port,  and  by  a  series  of  artful  ques- 
tions soon  ascertained  that  Rother  was  absent,  and  that  Oda  was 
at  home,  cai-efully  guarded  by  the  principal  nobles  of  the  realm. 
When  he  also  learned  that  one  of  these  noblemen  had  a  crippled 
child,  the  magician  informed  the  people  who  visited  his  vessel  to 
inspect  his  wares,  that  the  most  precious  treasure  in  his  possession 
was  a  magic  stone,  which,  in  a  queen's  hands,  had  the  power  of 
restoring  cripples. 

The  rumor  of  this  miraculous  stone  reached  the  court,  and  the 
nobleman  persuaded  the  kind-hearted  queen  to  go  down  to  the 
vessel  to  try  the  efficacy  of  the  stone.  As  soon  as  Oda  was  on 
board,  the  vessel  set  sail,  bearing  her  away  from  her  husband  and 
back  to  her  father's  home,  where  she  was  welcomed  with  great 
demonstrations  of  joy. 

Rother,  coming  back  from  the  war  shortly  after  her  disappear- 
ance, immediately  prepared  a  vessel  to  go  in  pursuit  of  her,  select- 
ing his  giants  and  bravest  noblemen  to  accompany  him.  Once 
more  they  landed  at  a  short  distance  from  Constantinople,  and 
Rother  bade  his  men  hide  in  a  thicket,  while  he  went  into  the 
city,  disguised  as  a  pilgrim,  and  carrying  under  his  robe  a  hunt- 
ing horn,  which  he  promised  to  sound  should  he  at  anytime  find 
himself  in  danger. 

He  no  sooner  entered  the  city  than  he  noticed  with  surprise 
that  all  the  inhabitants  seemed  greatly  depressed.  He  questioned 
them  concerning  their  evident  sadness,  and  learned  that  Imelot, 
having  effected  his  escape  from  captivity,  had  invaded  the  king- 


94  LEGENDS   OF    THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

dom,  and  vowed  that  he  would  not  retreat  unless  Oda  married  his 
ugly  and  hunchbacked  son  that  very  day. 

These  tidings  made  Rother  press  on  to  the  palace,  where, 
thanks  to  his  disguise,  he  effected  an  easy  entrance.  Slipping 
imeiot  again  uunoticed  to  his  wife's  side,  he  dropped  into  the 
defeated.  (^^p  beside  her  a  ring  upon  which  his  name  was 
engraved.  Quick  as  a  flash  Oda  recognized  and  tried  to  hide  it ; 
but  her  hunchbacked  suitor,  sitting  beside  her,  also  caught  sight 
of  it.  He  pointed  out  the  intruder,  cried  that  he  was  Rother  in 
disguise,  and  bade  his  guards  seize  him  and  hang  him.  Rother, 
seeing  that  he  was  discovered,  boldly  stepped  forward,  declared 
that  he  had  come  to  claim  his  wife,  and  challenged  the  cowardly 
hunchback,  who,  however,  merely  repeated  his  orders,  and  ac- 
companied his  guards  to  a  grove  outside  the  city  to  see  his  cap- 
tive executed.  Just  as  they  were  about  to  fasten  the  fatal  noose 
around  his  neck,  Rother  blew  a  resounding  blast  upon  his  horn, 
in  answer  to  which  call  his  followers  sprang  out  of  their  ambush, 
slew  guards,  Imeiot,  and  hunchback,  routed  the  imperial  forces, 
recovered  possession  of  Oda,  and  sailed  home  in  triumph  to 
Lombardy.  Here  Oda  bore  her  husband  a  lovely  httle  daughter 
called  Helche  (Herka),  who  eventually  married  Etzel  (Attila), 
King  of  the  Huns. 

Another  renowned  Lombardian  king  is  Ortnit  (Otnit),  whose 

realm  included  not  only  all  Italy,  from  the  Alps  to  the  sea,  tut 

also  the  island  of  Sicily.     He  had  won  this  province 

by  liis  fabulous  strength,  which,  we  are  told,  was 

equivalent  to  that  of  twelve  vigorous  men. 

In  spite  of  all  outward  prosperity,  Ortnit  was  lonely  and  un- 
happy. One  day,  while  he  was  strolling  along  the  seashore  at 
sunset,  he  saw  a  misty  castle  rise  slowly  out  of  the  waves.  On 
its  topmost  tower  he  beheld  a  fair  maiden,  with  whom  he  fell 
deeply  in  love  at  first  sight.  As  he  was  gazing  spellbound  at  the 
lady's  beauty,  castle  and  maiden  suddenly  vanished  ;  and  when 
Ortnit  asked  his  uncle,  Ylyas  (Elias),  Prince  of  the  Reussen,  what 


LANGOBARDIAN  CYCLE    OF  MYTHS.  95 

this  fantastic  vision  might  mean,  he  learned  that  the  castle  was 
the  exact  reproduction  of  the  stronghold  of  Muntabure,  and  the 
maiden  a  phantom  of  Princess  Sidrat,  daughter  of  the  ruler  of 
Syria,  which  the  Fata  Morgana,  or  Morgana  the  fay,  had  permitted 
him  to  behold. 

"  As  the  weary  traveler  sees, 
In  desert  or  prairie  vast, 
Blue  lakes,  overhung  with  trees, 
That  a  pleasant  shadow  cast; 

"  Fair  towns  with  turrets  high, 
And  shining  roofs  of  gold, 
That  vanish  as  he  draws  nigh, 
Like  mists  together  rolled." 

Longfellow,  Fata  Morgana. 

Of  course  Ortnit  vowed  that  he  would  go  and  ask  the  maiden's 
hand  in  marriage ;  and  although  his  uncle  warned  him  that 
Machorell,  the  girl's  father,  beheaded  all  his  daughter's  suitors,  to 
use  their  heads  as  decorations  for  his  fortifications,  the  young 
king  persisted  in  this  resolve. 

Forced  to  go  by  sea  in  order  to  reach  Syria,  Ortnit  had  to 
delay  his  departure  until  suitable  preparations  had  been  made. 
During  that  time  his  mother  vainly  tried  to  dis-  ortnit  and  the 
suade  him  from  the  undertaking.  Finally,  seeing  magic  nng. 
that  nothing  could  deter  him  from  going  in  search  of  the  lovely 
maiden  he  had  seen,  she  slipped  a  ring  on  his  hand,  and  bade  him 
ride  out  of  town  in  a  certain  direction,  and  dismount  under  a 
lime  tree,  where  he  would  see  something  marvelous. 

"  '  If  thou  wilt  seek  the  adventure,  don  thy  armor  strong ; 
Far  to  the  left  thou  ride  the  towering  rocks  along. 
But  bide  thee,  champion,  and  await,  where  grows  a  linden  tree ; 
There,  flowing  from  the  rock,  a  well  thine  eyes  will  see. 

"  *  Far  around  the  meadow  spread  the  branches  green  ; 
Five  hundred  armed  knights  may  stand  beneath  the  shade,  I  ween. 
Below  the  linden  tree  await,  and  thou  wilt  meet  full  soon 
The  marvelous  adventure ;  there  must  the  deed  be  done.'  " 

Heldenbttch  (Weber's  tr.)- 


96  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

Ortnit  obeyed  these  instructions,  dismounted  in  a  spot  which 
seemed  strangely  famihar,  and,  gazing  inquisitively  around  him, 
became  aware  of  the  presence  of  a  lovely  sleeping  infant.  But 
when  he  attempted  to  take  it  in  his  arms  he  found  himself  sprawl- 
ing on  the  ground,  knocked  over  by  a  single  blow  from  the  child's 
tiny  fist.  Furious  at  his  overthrow,  Ortnit  began  wrestling  with 
his  small  assailant ;  but  in  spite  of  his  vaunted  strength  he  suc- 
ceeded in  pinioning  him  only  after  a  long  struggle. 

Unable  to  free  himself  from  Ortnit's  powerful  gi"asp,  the  child 
now  confessed  that  he  was  Alberich,  king  of  the  dwarfs,  and 
promised  Ortnit  a  marvelous  suit  of  armor  and  the 
sword  Rosen — which  had  been  tempered  in  drag- 
ons' blood,  and  Avas  therefore  considered  invulnerable — if  he 
would  only  let  him  go. 

"  '  Save  me,  noble  Otnit,  for  thy  chivalry  ! 
A  hauberk  will  I  give  thee,  strong,  and  of  wondrous  might ; 
Better  armor  never  bore  champion  in  the  fight. 

"  '  Not  eighty  thousand  marks  would  buy  the  hauberk  bright. 
A  sword  of  mound  I'll  give  thee,  Otnit,  thou  royal  knight ; 
Through  armor,  both  of  gold  and  steel,  cuts  the  weapon  keen  ; 
The  helmet  could  its  edge  withstand  ne'er  in  this  world  was  seen.' " 

Heldenbitch  (Weber's  tr.). 

The  king  consented,  but  the  moment  he  set  the  dwarf  free  he 
felt  him  snatch  the  ring  his  mother  had  given  him  off  his  hand, 
and  saw  him  mysteriously  and  suddenly  disappear,  his  voice 
sounding  tauntingly  now  on  one  side,  now  on  the  other.  Some 
parley  ensued  before  the  dwarf  would  restore  the  ring,  which  was 
no  sooner  replaced  on  the  hero's  hand  than  he  once  more  found 
himself  able  to  see  his  antagonist. 

Alberich  now  gravely  informed  Ortnit  that  in  spite  of  his  infan- 
tile stature  he  was  very  old  indeed,  having  lived  more  than  five 
hundred  years.  He  then  went  onto  tell  him  that  the  king, whom 
Ortnit  had  until  then  considered  his  father,  had  no  claim  to  the 
title  of  parent,  for  he  had  secretly  divorced  his  wife,  and  given 


LANGOBARDIAN  CYCLE    OF  MYTHS.  97 

her  in  marriage  to  Alberich.  Thus  the  dwarf  was  Ortnit's  true 
father,  and  declared  himself  ready  now  to  acknowledge  their  re- 
lationship and  to  protect  his  son. 

After  giving  Ortnit  the  promised  armor  and  sword,  and  direct- 
ing him  to  turn  the  magic  ring  if  ever  he  needed  a  father's  aid, 
Alberich  vanished.     Ortnit,  returning  to  town,  in-        ortnit  in 
formed  his  mother  that  he  had  seen  his  father ;  and  Tyre, 

as  soon  as  the  weather  permitted  he  set  sail  for  Suders  (Tyre). 
Ortnit  entered  the  harbor  as  a  merchant,  and  exhibited  his  wares 
to  the  curious  people,  while  Alberich,  at  his  request,  bore  a  chal- 
lenge to  Machorell,  threatening  to  take  Tyre  and  the  casde  of 
Muntabure  unless  he  were  wiUing  to  accept  Ortnit  as  son-in-law. 

The  dwarf  acquitted  himself  nobly  of  his  task,  and  when 
Machorell  scornfully  dismissed  him,  he  hastened  back  to  Tyre, 
bidding  Ortnit  lose  no  time  in  surprising  and  taking  possession  of 
the  city.  This  advice  was  so  well  carried  out  that  Ortnit  soon 
found  himself  master  of  the  city,  and  marching  on  to  Muntabure, 
he  laid  siege  to  the  castle,  restoring  all  his  men  as  soon  as  they  were 
wounded  by  a  mere  touch  of  his  magic  ring.  Alberich,  whom 
none  but  he  could  see,  was  allowed  to  lead  the  van  and  bear  the 
banner,  which  seemed  to  flutter  aloft  in  a  fantastic  way.  The 
dwarf  took  advantage  of  this  invisibility  to  scale  the  walls  of  the 
fortress  unseen,  and  hurled  down  the  ponderous  machines  used 
to  throw  stones,  arrows,  boihng  pitch,  and  oil.  Thus  he  greatly 
helped  Ortnit,  who,  in  the  mean  while,  was  performing  unheard-of 
deeds  of  valor,  which  excited  the  admiration  of  Princess  Sidrat, 
watching  him  from  her  tower. 

Alberich  next  glided  to  this  maiden's  side,  and  bade  her  has- 
ten to  the  postern  gate  early  on  the  morrow,  if  she  would  see  the 
king.     As  Ortnit  had  been  told  that  he  would  find      ortnit  and 
her  there,  he  went  thither  in  the  early  dawn,  and       Liebgart. 
pleaded  his  cause  so  eloquently  that  Sidrat  eloped  with  him  to 
Lombardy.     There  she  became  his  beloved  queen,  was  baptized 
in  the  Christian  faith,  and  received  the  name  of  Liebgart,  by 
which  she  was  ever  afterward  known. 
7 


98         LEGENDS   OE    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

The  happiness  of  Ortnit  and  Liebgart  was  very  great,  but  the 
young  queen  did  not  feel  that  it  was  quite  complete  until  a  giant 

The  magic  ^^d  his  wife  Came  from  her  father's  court  bringing 
eggs.  conciliatory  messages,  and  a  promise  that  Macho- 

rell  would  visit  his  daughter  in  the  early  spring.  They  also 
brought  countless  valuable  presents,  among  which  were  two  huge 
eggs,  which  the  giants  said  were  priceless,  as  from  them  could 
be  hatched  magic  toads  with  lodestones  in  their  foreheads.  Of 
course  Liebgart's  curiosity  was  greatly  excited  by  this  gift,  and 
learning  that  the  giant  couple  would  see  to  the  hatching  of  the 
eggs  and  the  bringing  up  of  the  toads  if  a  suitable  place  were 
only  provided  for  them,  she  sent  them  into  a  mountain  gorge 
near  Trient,  where  the  climate  was  hot  and  damp  enough  for  the 
proper  hatching  of  the  toads. 

Time  passed  by,  and  the  giantess  Ruotze  hatched  dragons  or 
lind-worms  from  the  huge  eggs.  These  animals  grew  with  alarm- 
ing rapidity,  and  soon  the  governor  of  the  province  sent  word 
to  the  king  that  he  could  no  longer  provide  food  enough  for  the 
monsters,  which  had  become  the  terror  of  the  whole  countryside. 
They  finally  proved  too  much  even  for  the  giants,  who  were 
obhged  to  flee.  When  Ortnit  learned  that  ordinary  weapons 
had  no  effect  upon  these  dragons,  he  donned  his  magic  armor 
and  seized  his  sword  Rosen.  He  then  bade  Liebgart  a  tender 
farewell,  telling  her  that  if  he  did  not  return  she  must  marry  none 
but  the  man  who  wore  his  ring,  and  sallied  forth  to  deliver  his 
people  from  the  ravenous  monsters  whom  he  had  thoughtlessly 
allowed  to  be  bred  in  their  midst.' 

Ortnit  soon  dispatched  the  giant  and  giantess,  who  would  fain 
have  hindered  his  entrance  into  the  fatal  gorge.  Then  he  encoun- 
tered the  dwarf  Alberich,  and  was  warned  that  he  would  fall  victim 
to  the  pestilent  dragons,  which  had  bred  a  number  of  young 
ones,  destined,  in  time,  to  infest  all  Europe. 

In  spite  of  these  warnings,  Ortnit  declared  that  he  must  do  his 
best  for  the  sake  of  his  people ;  and  having  given  the  magic  ring 
back  to  Alberich,  he  continued  on  his  way.    All  day  long  he  vainly 


LAiXGOBARDlAN   CYCLE    OF  MYTHS.  99 

sought  the  monsters  in  the  trackless  forest,  until,  sinking  down 
exhausted  at  the  foot  of  a  tree,  he  soon  fell  asleep.  This  slumber 
was  so  profound  that  it  was  Hke  a  lethargy,  and  Death  of 
the  wild  barking  of  his  dog  failed  to  waken  him  so  Ortnit. 
that  he  could  prepare  for  the  stealthy  approach  of  the  great 
dragon.  The  monster  caught  the  sleeping  knight  in  his  power- 
ful claws,  and  dashed  him  against  the  rocks  until  every  bone  in 
his  body  was  broken  into  bits,  although  the  magic  armor  remained 
quite  whole. 

Then  the  dragon  conveyed  the  corpse  to  his  den,  where  the 
little  dragons  vainly  tried  to  get  at  the  knight  to  eat  his  flesh, 
being  daunted  by  the  impenetrable  armor,  which  would  not  give 
way. 

In  the  mean  while  Liebgart  was  anxiously  awaiting  the  return 
of  her  beloved  husband ;  but  when  she  saw  his  dog  steal  into 
the  palace  in  evident  grief,  she  knew  that  Ortnit  was  dead,  and 
mourned  for  him  with  many  a  tear.  As  he  had  left  no  heir  to 
succeed  him,  the  nobles  soon  crowded  around  Liebgart,  implor- 
ing her  to  marry  one  of  them  and  make  him  king  of  Lombardy ; 
but  she  constantly  refused  to  hsten  to  their  wooing. 

Angry  at  her  resistance,  the  noblemen  then  took  possession  of 
treasure,  palace,  and  kingdom,  and  left  poor  Liebgart  so  utterly 
destitute  that  she  was  forced  to  support  herself  by  Liebgart 
spinning  and  weaving.  She  carried  on  these  occu-  dethroned, 
pations  for  a  long  time,  while  patiently  waiting  for  the  coming 
of  a  knight  who  would  avenge  Ortnit's  death,  wear  his  ring,  claim 
her  hand  in  marriage,  and  restore  her  to  her  former  exalted  posi- 
tion as  queen  of  Lombardy, 


CHAPTER    VI. 


THE    AMBLINGS. 


While  Ortnit's  ancestors  were  ruling  over  Lombardy,  Anzius 
was  Emperor  of  Constantinople.     When  about  to  die,  this  mon- 
arch confided  his  infant  son,  Hugdietrich,  to  the 

Hugdietrich.  r-t-.ii  ht  i        i       i 

care  of  Berchther  of  Meran,  the  same  who  had  ac- 
companied Rother  on  his  journey  to  Constantinople. 

When  Hugdietrich  attained  marriageable  age,  his  tutor  felt  it 
incumbent  upon  him  to  select  a  suitable  wife  for  him.  One  prin- 
cess only,  Hildburg,  daughter  of  Walgund  of  Thessalonica,  seemed 
to  unite  all  the  required  advantages  of  birth,  beauty,  and  wealth ; 
but  unfortunately  this  princess's  father  was  averse  to  her  marry- 
ing, and,  to  prevent  her  from  having  any  lovers,  had  locked  her 
up  in  an  isolated  tower,  where  none  but  women  were  ever  ad- 
mitted. 

Berchther  having  informed  his  ward  of  his  plan,  and  of  the  diffi- 
culties concerning  its  fulfillment,  Hugdietrich  immediately  made 
up  his  mind  to  bring  it  about,  even  if  he  had  to  resort  to  strata- 
gem in  order  to  win  his  bride.  After  much  cogitation  he  let  his 
hair  grow,  learned  all  about  woman's  work  and  ways,  donned 
female  garments,  and  journeyed  off  to  Thessalonica,  where  he 
presented  himself  before  the  king  as  a  prince.ss  in  distress,  and 
claimed  his  chivalrous  protection.  Walgund  welcomed  the  pre- 
tended princess  warmly,  and  accepted  her  gifts  of  gold  and  em- 
broidery. As  soon  as  he  had  shown  the  latter  to  his  wife  and 
daughter,  they  expressed  a  lively  desire  to  see  the  stranger  and 
have  her  teach  them  to  embroider  also. 

lOO 


TIfF.    AM/:/./.VGS.  lOi 

Hugdietrich,  having  thus  effected  an  entrance  into  the  princess's 
tower  as  embroidery  teacher,  soon  managed  to  quiet  Hildburg's 
alarm  when   she    discovered   that    the   pretended      .,     .        , 

■i  Marriage  of 

princess  was  a  suitor  in  disguise,  and  wooed  her  so  Hugdietrich 
successfully  that  she  not  only  allowed  him  to  take  ^"'^  Hiidburg. 
up  his  abode  in  the  tower,  but  also  consented  to  a  secret  union. 
All  went  on  very  well  for  some  time,  but  finally  Hugdietrich 
felt  it  his  duty  to  return  to  his  kingdom  ;  and  parting  from  his 
young  wife,  he  solemnly  promised  to  return  ere  long  to  claim  her 
openly. 

On  reaching  home,  however,  he  found  himself  unexpectedly 
detained  by  a  war  which  had  just  broken  out ;  and  while  he  was 
fighting,  Hiidburg  anxiously  watched  for  his  return.  Birth  of 
Month  after  month  passed  by  without  any  news  of  'Woifdietrich. 
him,  till  Hiidburg,  in  her  lonely  tower,  gave  birth  to  a  httle  son, 
whose  advent  was  kept  secret  by  the  ingenuity  and  devotion  of 
the  princess's  nurse. 

When  the  queen  presented  herself  at  the  door  unexpectedly  one 
day,  this  servant  hastily  carried  the  child  out  of  the  building,  and 
set  him  down  on  the  grass  in  the  moat,  intending  to  come  and 
get  him  in  a  few  moments.  She  could  not  do  so,  however,  as 
the  queen  kept  her  constantly  beside  her,  and  prolonged  her  visit 
to  the  next  day. 

"  In  the  moat  the  new-born  babe  meanwhile  in  silence  lay, 
Sleeping  on  the  verdant  grass,  gently,  all  the  day. 
From  the  swathing  and  the  bath  the  child  had  stinted  weeping ; 
No  one  saw,  or  heard  its  voice,  in  the  meadow  sleeping." 

Heldenbuch  (Weber's  tr.). 

When  the  faithful  nurse,  released  at  last,  rushed  out  to  find 
her  charge,  who  could  creep  about,  she  could  discover  no  trace 
of  him ;  and  not  daring  to  confide  the  truth  to  Hiidburg,  she  in- 
formed her  that  she  had  sent  the  child  out  to  nurse. 

A  few  days  later,  Berchther  of  Meran  arrived  at  Thessalonica, 
saying  that  Hugdietrich  had  fallen  in  love  with  Hildbiu-g  on 
hearing  a  description  of  her  charms  from  the  exiled  princess,  his 


I02  LEGENDS   OE   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

sister,  and  openly  suing  in  his  name  for  her  hand.  Instead  of 
giving  an  immediate  answer  to  this  proposal,  Walgund  invited 
the  ambassador  to  hunt  with  him  in  a  neighboring  forest  on  the 
morrow. 

Accidentally  separated  from  their  respective  suites,  Walgund  and 
Berchther  came  to  a  thicket  near  the  princess's  tower,  and  peering 

Rescue  of  througli  the  underbrush  to  discover  the  meaning  of 
Woifdietrich.  gome  Strange  sounds,  they  saw  a  beautiful  little  boy 
sitting  on  the  grass,  playfully  handhng  some  young  wolf  cubs, 
whose  struggles  he  seemed  not  to  mind  in  the  least.  While  the 
two  men  were  gazing  spellbound  at  this  strange  sight,  they  saw 
the  mother  wolf  draw  near,  ready  to  spring  upon  the  innocent 
child  and  tear  him  limb  from  limb.  As  Berchther  skillfully  flung 
his  spear  past  the  child  and  slew  the  wolf,  Walgund  sprang  for- 
ward and  caught  the  babe  in  his  arms,  exclaiming  that  if  he  were 
only  sure  his  grandchildren  would  be  as  handsome  and  fearless  as 
this  little  boy,  he  would  soon  consent  to  his  daughter's  marriage. 

As  the  child  was  so  small  that  it  still  required  a  woman's  ten- 
der care,  Walgund  next  proposed  to  carry  it  to  the  tower,  where 
his  daughter  and  her  attendants  could  watch  over  it  until  it  was 
claimed ;  and  as  Berchther  indorsed  this  proposal,  it  was  immedi- 
ately carried  out.  Hildburg  received  the  charge  with  joy,  re- 
vealed by  her  emotion  that  the  child  was  her  very  own,  and  told 
her  father  all  about  her  secret  marriage  with  Hugdietrich,  whom 
Walgund  now  graciously  accepted  as  son-in-law. 

In  memory  of  this  adventure  the  baby  rescued  from  the  beast 
of  prey  was  called  Woifdietrich,  and  he  and  his  mother,  accom- 
panied by  a  nobleman  named  Sabene,  were  escorted  in  state  to 
Constantinople,  where  Hugdietrich  welcomed  them  with  joy. 
Here  they  dwelt  in  peace  for  several  years,  at  the  end  of  which, 
a  war  having  again  broken  out,  Hugdietrich  departed,  confiding 
his  wife  and  son  to  the  care  of  Sabene,  who  now  cast  aside  all 
his  pretended  virtue.  After  insulting  the  queen  most  grossly,  he 
began  to  spread  lying  reports  about  the  birth  of  the  young  heir, 
until  the  people,  doubting  whether  he  might  not  be  considered 


Tin:  AMBLINGS.  103 

a  mere  foundling,  showed  some  unwillingness  to  recognize  him 
as  their  future  prince. 

Hugdietrich,  returning  home  and  hearing  these  remarks,  also 
began  to  cherish  some  suspicions,  and,  instead  of  keeping  Wolf- 
dietrich  at  court,  sent  him  to  Meran,  where  Berch-     -woifdietrich 
ther  brought  him  up  with  his  twelve  stalwart  sons,       '"  Meran. 
every  one  of  whom  the  young  prince  outshone  in  beauty,  courage, 
and  skill  in  all  manly  exercises. 

In  the  mean  while  Hildburg  had  borne  two  other  sons,  Bogen 
and  Waxmuth,  to  Hugdietrich ;  but  seeing  that  Sabene  was  still 
trying  to  poison  people's  minds  against  the  absent  Woifdietrich, 
and  deprive  him  of  his  rights,  she  finally  sought  her  husband, 
revealed  the  baseness  of  Sabene's  conduct,  and  had  him  exiled. 
Hugdietrich's  life  was  unfortunately  cut  short  a  few  months  after 
this,  and  when  he  felt  that  he  was  about  to  die,  he  disposed  of  all 
his  property,  leaving  the  sovereignty  of  Constantinople  to  Woif- 
dietrich, and  making  his  younger  sons  kings  of  lands  which  he 
had  conquered  in  the  south. 

As  soon  as  he  had  breathed  his  last,  however,  the  nobles  of  the 
land,  who  had  all  been  won  over  by  Sabene's  artful  insinuations, 
declared  that  they  would  never  recognize  Wolf-        Hiidbur 
dietrich  as  their  ruler,  but  would  recall  Sabene  to     banished  by 
watch  over  the  two  younger  kings,  and  exercise  ^  ^"^' 

the  royal  power  in  their  name.  These  measures  having  been  car- 
ried out,  Sabene  avenged  himself  by  banishing  Hildbvirg,  who, 
turned  out  of  the  imperial  palace  at  night,  was  forced  to  make 
her  way  alone  and  on  foot  to  Meran,  where  her  son  Woifdietrich 
received  her  gladly  and  promised  to  protect  her  with  his  strong 
risiht  arm. 

At  the  head  of  a  small  troop  composed  of  Berchther  and  his 
sons,  Woifdietrich  marched  to  Constantinople  to  oust  Sabene ; 
but,  in  spite  of  all  his  valor,  he  soon  found  himself  defeated,  and 
forced  to  retreat  to  the  castle  of  Lilienporte.  Here  he  intrenched 
himself,  rejoicing  at  the  sight  of  the  strong  battlements,  and 
especially  at  the  provisions  stored  within  its  inclosure,  which 


I04  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

would  suffice  for  all  the  wants  of  the  garrison  for  more  than 
seven  years. 

In  vain  Sabene  besieged  this  castle ;  in  vain  he  constructed 

huge  engines  of  war;  the  fortress  held  out  month  after  month. 

Siege  of        At  the  end  of  the  third  year,  Wolfdietrich,  seeing 

Liiienporte.  jh^t  their  provisions  would  not  hold  out  forever, 
resolved  to  make  his  escape  alone,  and  go  in  search  of  aUies  to 
save  his  trusty  friends.  He  soon  obtained  the  consent  of  Berch- 
ther  and  of  his  mother  for  the  execution  of  this  scheme. 

While  a  skirmish  was  going  on  one  day,  Wolfdietrich  escaped 
through  the  postern  gate,  and,  riding  into  the  forest,  rapidly  dis- 
appeared in  the  direction  of  Lombardy,  where  he  intended  to 
ask  the  aid  of  Ortnit.  Riding  through  the  deserts  of  Roumelia, 
where  his  guardian  had  bidden  him  beware  of  the  enchantments 
of  the  witch  Rauch-Else,  he  shared  his  last  piece  of  bread  with 
his  faithful  steed,  and,  faint  with  hunger  and  almost  perishing 
with  thirst,  plodded  painfully  on. 

Finally  horse  and  rider  could  go  no  farther,  and  as  the  latter 
lay  in  a  half  swoon  upon  the  barren  soil,  he  was  suddenly  roused 
by  the  appearance  of  a  hideous,  bearlike  female, 
who  gruffly  inquired  how  he  dared  venture  upon 
her  territory.  The  unhappy  Wolfdietrich  recognized  Rau,ch-Else 
by  the  description  his  guardian,  Berchther,  had  given  of  her,  and 
would  have  fled,  had  strength  remained  him  to  do  so  ;  but,  faint- 
ing with  hunger,  he  could  only  implore  her  to  give  him  something 
to  eat. 

At  this  appeal  Rauch-Else  immediately  produced  a  pecuHar- 
looking  root,  of  which  he  had  no  sooner  tasted  than  he  felt  as 
strong  and  rested  as  ever  before.  By  the  witch's  advice  he  gave 
the  remainder  of  the  root  to  his  horse,  u[)on  whom  it  produced 
the  same  magic  effect ;  but  when  he  would  fain  have  expressed 
his  gratitude  and  ridden  away,  Rauch-Else  told  him  that  he  be- 
longed to  her  by  decree  of  fate,  and  asked  him  to  marry  her. 

Not  daring  to  refuse  this  proposal,  which,  however,  was  very 
distasteful  indeed,  Wolfdietrich  reluctantly  assented,  expressing  a 


THE  AMBLINGS.  105 

wish  that  she  were  not  quite  so  repulsive.  No  sooner  were  the 
words  fairly  out  of  his  mouth  than  he  saw  her  suddenly  trans- 
formed into  a  beautiful  woman,  and  heard  her  declare  that  his 
"  yes  "  had  released  her  from  an  evil  spell,  and  allowed  her  to  re- 
sume her  wonted  form  and  name,  which  was  Sigeminne,  Queen 
of  Old  Troy. 

Slowly  proceeding  to  the  seashore,  the  young  couple  embarked 
in  a  waiting  galley  and  sailed  directly  to  Sigeminne's  kingdom, 
where  they  lived  happily  together,  Wolfdietrich  woifdietrich 
having  entirely  forgotten  his  mother,  tutor,  and  ^"<^  sigeminne. 
companions,  who  were  vainly  awaiting  his  return  with  an  army 
to  deliver  them. 

"By  the  hand  she  led  Wolfdietrich  unto  the  forest's  end; 
To  the  sea  she  guided  him ;  a  ship  lay  on  the  strand. 
To  a  spacious  realm  she  brought  him,  hight  the  land  of  Troy." 

Heldenbuck  (Weber's  tr.). 

Wolfdietrich's  happiness,  however,  was  not  to  endure  long  ;  for 
while  he  was  pursuing  a  stag  which  his  wife  bade  him  secure 
for  her,  a  magician  named  Drusian  suddenly  presented  himself 
before  Sigeminne  and  spirited  her  away. 

Wolfdietrich,  finding  his  wife  gone,  resolved  to  go  in  search  of 
her,  and  not  to  rest  until  he  had  found  her.  Then,  knowing  that 
nothing  but  cunning  could  prevail  against  the  magician's  art,  he 
donned  a  magic  silken  vest  which  his  wife  had  woven  for  him, 
which  could  not  be  penetrated  by  weapon  or  dragon,  and  cover- 
ing it  with  a  pilgrim's  garb,  he  traveled  on  until  he  came  within 
sight  of  the  castle  of  Drusian. 

Worn  out  by  his  long  journey,  he  sat  down  for  a  moment  to 
rest  ere  he  began  the  ascent  of  the  steep  mountain  upon  which 
the  castle  stood  ;  and  having  fallen  asleep,  he  was  roughly  awak- 
ened by  a  giant,  who  bore  him  off  prisoner  to  the  fortress,  where 
he  saw  Sigeminne. 

"  He  led  the  weary  pilgrim  into  the  castle  hall, 
Where  brightly  burned  the  fire,  and  many  a  taper  tall. 


io6  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

On  a  seat  he  sat  him  down,  and  made  him  right  good  cheer. 
His  eyes  around  the  hall  cast  the  hero  without  fear." 

Heldenbuch  (Weber's  tr.). 

Wolfdietrich  concealed  his  face  in  the  depths  of  his  cowl,  and 
remained  quietly  seated  by  the  fire  until  evening  came.     Then 

Death  of       the  giant  turned  to  the  mourning  queen,  declaring 

Sigeminne.  t^^t  he  had  been  patient  long  enough,  and  that  she 
must  now  consent  to  marry  him  and  forget  her  husband.  Hardly 
had  these  words  been  spoken  when  Wolfdietrich,  the  pretended 
pilgrim,  fell  upon  him,  and  refused  to  let  him  go  until  he  had  ac- 
cepted his  challenge  for  a  fair  fight  and  had  produced  suitable 
arms.  The  young  hero  selected  an  iron  armor,  in  preference  to 
the  gold  and  silver  mail  offered  him,  and  boldly  attacked  the  giant, 
who  finally  succumbed  beneath  his  mighty  blows.  Sigeminne, 
thus  restored  to  her  husband's  arms,  then  returned  with  him  to 
Old  Troy,  where  they  ruled  happily  together  until  she  died  of  a 
mortal  illness. 

When  she  breathed  her  last,  Wolfdietrich,  delivered  from  the 
spell  she  had  cast  upon  him  by  making  him  partake  of  the  magic 
root,  suddenly  remembered  his  mother,  Berchther,  and  his  faith- 
ful companions,  and,  filled  with  compunction,  hastened  off  to  help 
them.  On  his  way  he  passed  through  many  lands,  and  finally 
came  to  a  fortified  town,  whose  walls  were  adorned  with  human 
heads  set  up  on  spikes.  He  asked  a  passer-by  what  this  singu- 
lar decoration  might  mean,  and  learned  that  the  city  belonged  to 
a  heathen  king,  Belligan,  who  made  it  a  practice  to  slay  every 
Christian  who  entered  his  precincts. 

Wolfdietrich  immediately  resolved  to  rid  the  earth  of  this  mon- 
ster, and  riding  boldly  into  the  city,  he  cried  that  he  was  ready 

BeUigan  slain    ^^  "^^^"^  ^^^  ^'"S  ^"  ^'^^  favorite  game  of  dagger 

bv  woifdie-     throwing.     This  challenge  was  promptly  accepted, 

^"^"^  ■  the  preparations  all  made,  and  although  the  heathen 

king  was  protected  by  his  daughter's  magic  spells,  he  could  not 

withstand  the  Christian  knight,  who  pierced  him  through  and 

through,  and  left  him  dead, 


THE  AMBLINGS.  107 

"  Speedily  Wolfdietrich  the  third  knife  heaved  on  high. 
Trembling  stood  Sir  Belligan,  for  he  felt  his  death  was  nigh. 
The  pagan's  heart  asunder  with  cunning  skill  he  cleft ; 
Down  upon  the  grass  he  fell,  of  life  bereft." 

Heldenbiich  (Weber's  tr.). 

But  as  Wolfdietrich  attempted  to  leave  the  castle,  M^aves  sud- 
denly surrounded  him  on  all  sides,  threatening  to  drown  him, 
until,  suspecting  that  this  phenomenon  was  produced  by  the 
princess's  magic  arts,  he  seized  her  and  held  her  head  under 
water  until  she  died.  Then  the  waves  immediately  subsided  and 
permitted  him  to  escape  unharmed. 

Wolfdietrich  next  came  to  some  mountains,  where  he  encoun- 
tered a  giantess,  who  told  him  the  story  of  Ortnit's  death,  and  so 
roused  his  compassion  for  the  unfortunate  Liebgart  that  he  vowed 
to  slay  the  dragon  and  avenge  all  her  wrongs.  To  enable  him 
to  reach  his  destination  sooner  the  giantess  bore  him  and  his  horse 
over  the  mountains,  fifty  miles  in  one  day,  and  set  him  down  near 
Garden  (Guarda),  where  he  saw  Liebgart  and  her  sole  remaining 
attendant  sadly  walking  up  and  down. 

Struck  by  Liebgart's  resemblance  to  the  dead  Sigeminne,  Wolf- 
dietrich stood  quietly  in  the  shade  long  enough  to  overhear  her 
sigh  and  say  that  she  wished  the  brave  Wolfdietrich  would  come 
along  that  way  and  avenge  her  husband's  death. 

In  answer  to  these  words  the  hero  presented  himself  impetu- 
ously before  her,  swore  he  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  fulfill  her 
wishes,  and  having  received  from  her  fair  hand  a  wolfdietrich 
ring,  which  she  declared  would  bring  the  wearer  ^^^  Liebgart. 
good  luck,  he  hastened  off  to  the  mountain  gorge  to  encounter 
the  dragons.  On  the  way  thither,  Wolfdietrich  met  Alberich, 
who  cautioned  him  not  to  yield  to  the  desire  for  slumber  if  he 
would  overcome  the  foe ;  so  pressing  on  in  spite  of  almost  over- 
powering lassitude,  he  met  the  dragon. 

Notwithstanding  all  his  efforts  AVolfdietrich  soon  found  himself 
carried  off  to  the  monster's  cave,  where  he  was  flung  down  to 
serve  as  pasture  for  the  young  lind-worms.     They  would  surely 


io8  LEGENDS   OF    THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

have  devoured  him  had  he  not  been  protected  by  Sigeminne's 
magic  shirt,  which  they  could  not  pierce. 

Looking  about  him  for  some  weapon  to  defend  himself  with, 

Wolfdietrich  suddenly  saw  Ortnit's  ring  and  his  sword  Rosen, 

Ortnit's  sword    which  he   seizcd,  and  wielded  the  latter  to  such 

and  ring.  good  purposc  that  lie  soon  slew  all  the  dragons. 
He  then  cut  out  their  tongues,  which  he  packed  in  a  bag  the 
dwarfs  broiight  him,  and  triumphantly  rode  off  to  find  Liebgart 
and  tell  her  of  his  success.  But,  as  he  lost  his  way  in  the  forest, 
it  was  several  days  before  he  reached  the  town  where  she  dwelt, 
and  as  he  rode  through  the  gates  he  was  indignant  to  hear  that 
Liebgart  was  about  to  marry  a  knight  by  the  name  of  Gerhart, 
who  had  slain  the  dragon,  brought  home  its  head,  and  claimed 
the  fulfillment  of  an  old  promise  she  had  made  to  marry  her 
husband's  avenger.  Wolfdietrich  spurred  onward,  entered  the 
castle,  denounced  the  impostor  Gerhart,  and  proved  the  truth  of 
his  assertions  by  producing  the  dragons'  tongues.  Then,  turning 
to  the  queen,  Wolfdietrich  stretched  out  his  hand  to  her,  humbly 
asking  whether  she  would  marry  him.  At  that  moment  Liebgart 
saw  Ortnit's  ring  glittering  on  his  finger,  and,  remembering  her 
husband's  last  words,  immediately  signified  her  consent. 

The  happy  couple  spent  a  whole  year  together  in  restoring 
order,  peace,  and  prosperity  to  the  Lombards,  before  Wolfdietrich 
left  his  wife  to  go  and  succor  the  companions  whom  he  had 
neglected  so  long.  Landing  with  his  army  near  Constantinople, 
Wolfdietrich,  disguised  as  a  peasant,  made  his  way  into  the  city, 
and  learned  that  Berchther  and  his  sons  had  been  put  in  prison. 
There  the  former  had  died,  but  the  latter  were  still  languishing  in 
captivity.  Wolfdietrich  bribed  the  jailer  to  bear  them  a  cheering 
message  and  strengthening  food,  and  led  his  army  against  Sabene, 
whom  he  utterly  routed. 

After  recovering  possession  of  Constantinople,  granting  full 
forgiveness  to  his  erring  brothers,  executing  Sabene,  and  liberat- 
ing his  companions,  to  whom  he  intrusted  the  sovereignty  of 
the  empire,  Wolfdietrich  returned  to  Lombardy,  and  from  thence 


THE   AMBLINGS.  109 

proceeded  with  Liebgart  to  Romaburg  (Rome),  where  he  was 
duly  crowned  emperor. 

To  reward  Herbrand,  Berchther's  eldest  son,  for  his  faithfulness, 
\V^olfdietrich  gave  him  the  city  of  Garden  and  all  its  territories, 
a  realm  which  subsequently  was  inherited  by  his  son  Hildebrand, 
a  hero  whom  we  shall  have  further  occasion  to  describe. 

Hache,  another  of  Berchther's  sons,  received  as  his  share  all  the 
Rhine  land,  which  he  left  to  his  son,  the  trusty  Eckhardt  (Ecke- 
wart)  who  ever  and  anon  appears  in  northern  literature  to  win 
mortals  back  to  virtue  and  point  out  the  road  to  honor.  Wolf- 
dietrich  and  Liebgart  were  the  happy  parents  of  a  son  called 
Hugdietrich,  like  his  grandfather;  and  this  king's  second  son, 
Dietmar,  was  the  father  of  the  famous  Dietrich  von  Bern,  the 
hero  of  the  next  chapter  of  this  volume. 


CHAPTER    VII. 


DIETRICH    VON     BERN. 


Dietrich  von  Bern,  whose  name  is  spelled  in  eighty-five  diflfer- 
ent  ways  in  the  various  ballads  and  chronicles  written  about  him, 
has  been  identified  with  the  historical  Theodoric  of  Verona,  whose 
"  name  was  chosen  by  the  poets  of  the  early  middle  ages  as  the 
string  upon  which  the  pearls  of  their  fantastic  imagination  were 
to  be  strung." 

This  hero  is  one  of  the  principal  characters  in  the  ancient  Ger- 
man "  Book  of  Heroes,"  and  his  adventures,  which  are  recorded 
in  many  ancient  manuscripts,  and  more  especially  in  the  Wilkina 
saga,  are  about  as  follows : 

Dietmar,  the  second  son  of  Hugdietrich,  or  of  Samson  accord- 
ing to  other  authorities,  became  the  independent  ruler  of  Bern 
Parentage  of  ( Verona),  and  refused  to  recognize  his  elder  brother, 
Dietrich.  Ermenrich,  Emperor  of  the  West,  as  his  liege  lord. 
The  young  prince  had  married  Odilia,  the  heiress  of  the  con- 
quered Duke  of  Verona,  who  bore  him  a  son  called  Dietrich. 
Gentle  and  generous  when  all  went  according  to  his  wishes,  this 
child  was  uncontrollable  when  his  anger  was  roused,  and  his 
breath  then  came  from  his  lips  in  a  fiery  torrent,  scorching  his 
opponent,  and  consuming  all  inflammable  articles. 

When  Dietrich  was  but  five  years  of  age  his  training  was  in- 
trusted to  Hildebrand,  son  of  Herbrand,  one  of  the  Volsung 
race ;  and  so  well  did  the  tutor  acquit  himself  of  this  task  that  he 
soon  made  his  pupil  as  accomplished  a  warrior  as  himself.  Their 
tastes  were,  moreover,  so  similar  that  they  soon  became  insepa- 

IIO 


DIK'JRJCll    rO.V   />■/■: AW.  Ill 

rable  friends,  and  their  attachment  has  become  as  proverbial 
among  northern  nations  as  that  of  David  and  Jonathan,  Damon 
and  Pythias,  or  Orestes  and  Pylades. 

Hearing  that  a  giant,  Grim,  and  a  giantess,  Hilde,  were  com- 
mitting great  depredations  in  a  remote  part  of  his  father's  terri- 
tories, and  that  no  one  had  been  able  to  rout  or  slay  them,  young 
Dietrich  set  out  with  Master  Hildebrand  to  attack  them.  They 
had  not  ridden  long  in  the  forest  before  they  became  aware  of  the 
presence  of  a  tiny  dwarf,  Alberich  (Alferich,  Alpris,  or  Elbegast), 
and  pouncing  upon  him,  they  held  him  fast,  vowing  that  he 
should  recover  his  liberty  only  upon  condition  of  pointing  out 
the  giants'  lurking  place. 

The  dwarf  not  only  promised  the  desired  information,  but  gave 
Dietrich  the  magic  sword  Nagelring,  which  alone  could  pierce 
the  giants'  skin.  Then  he  led  both  heroes  to  the  xhe  sword 
cave,  where  Grim  and  Hilde  were  gloating  over  a  Nagelring. 
magic  helmet  they  had  made  and  called  Hildegrim.  Peering 
through  a  fissure  of  the  rock,  Hildebrand  was  the  first  to  gaze 
upon  them,  and  in  his  eagerness  to  get  at  them  he  braced  his 
shoulder  against  the  huge  mass  of  stone,  forced  it  apart,  and  thus 
made  a  passage  for  himself  and  for  his  impetuous  young  pupil. 

As  Nagelring,  the  magic  sword,  had  been  stolen  from  him, 
Grim  attacked  Dietrich  with  a  blazing  brand  snatched  from  the 
fire,  while  Hildebrand  and  Hilde  wrestled  together.  The  encoun- 
ter was  short  and  fierce  between  the  young  hero  and  his  gigantic 
opponent,  who  soon  succumbed  beneath  Nagelring's  sharp  blows. 
Then  Dietrich,  turning,  came  just  in  time  to  save  his  master  from 
Hilde's  treacherous  blade.  But,  although  one  stroke  of  Nagelring 
cut  her  in  two,  the  heroes  were  dismayed  to  see  the  severed  parts 
of  her  body  knit  together  in  a  trice,  and  permit  Hilde,  whole  once 
more,  to  renew  the  attack. 

To  prevent  a  repetition  of  this  magical  performance,  Dietrich, 
after  again  cutting  her  in  two,  placed  his  sword  between  the  sev- 
ered parts,  and,  knowing  that  steel  annuls  magic,  left  it  there  until 
all  power  to  unite  was  gone  and  Hilde  was  really  dead.     The  two 


112  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

heroes  then  returned  home  in  triumph  with  Nageking  and  Hilde- 
grim,  the  two  famous  trophies,  which  Dietrich  took  as  his  share 
of  the  spoil,  leaving  to  Hildebrand  an  immense  treasure  of  gold 
which  made  him  the  richest  man  of  his  day.  This  wealth  enabled 
Hildebrand  to  marry  the  noble  Ute  (Uote  or  Uta),  who  helped  him 
to  bring  up  Dietrich's  young  brother,  then  but  a  babe. 

Although  the  young  prince  of  Bern  imagined  that  he  had  ex- 
terminated all  the  giants  in  his  land,  he  was  soon  undeceived; 
for  Sigenot,  Grim's  brother,  coming  down  from  the  Alps  to  visit 
him,  and  finding  him  slain,  vowed  to  avenge  his  death.  The 
brave  young  prince,  hearing  that  Sigenot  was  terrorizing  all  the 
neighborhood,  immediately  set  out  to  attack  him,  followed  at  a 
distance  by  Hildebrand  and  the  latter's  nephew,  Wolf  hart,  who 
was  always  ready  to  undertake  any  journey,  provided  there  was 
some  prospect  of  a  fight  at  the  end. 

Dietrich  soon  came  to  a  forest,  where,  feeling  hungry,  he  slew 
an  elk  and  proceeded  to  roast  some  of  its  flesh  upon  a  spit. 
While  he  was  thus  engaged  he  heard  shrill  cries,  and  looking  up, 
he  saw  a  giant  holding  a  dwarf  and  about  to  devour  him.  Ever 
ready  to  succor  the  feeble  and  oppressed,  Dietrich  caught  up  his 
sword  and  attacked  the  giant,  who  made  a  brave  but  fruitless 
defense.  The  dwarf,  seeing  his  tormentor  dead,  then  advised 
Dietrich  to  fly  in  haste,  lest  Sigenot,  the  most  terrible  of  all  the 
mountain  giants,  should  come  to  avenge  his  companion's  mur- 
der. But,  instead  of  following  this  advice,  Dietrich  persuaded 
the  dwarf  to  show  him  the  way  to  the  giant's  retreat. 

Following  his  tiny  guide,  Dietrich  climbed  up  the  snow-clad 
mountains,  where,  in  the  midst  of  the  icebergs,  the  ice  queen, 
ca  ture  of  Die-  Virginal,  suddenly  appeared  to  him,  advising  him  to 
trich  by  giant  retreat,  as  his  venture  was  perilous  in  the  extreme. 
Sigenot.  Equally  undeterred  by  this  second  warning,  Dietrich 
pressed  on ;  but  when  he  came  at  last  to  the  giant's  abode  he 
was  so  exhausted  by  the  ascent  that,  in  spite  of  all  his  courage, 
he  was  defeated,  put  in  chains,  and  dragged  into  the  giant's  den. 

Hildebrand,  in  the  mean  while,  following  his  pupil,  awaited 


I 
1. 

[Or:,.,:  li 


■\'; 


FALKE    KILLS     THE    GLANT.  —  Kelle 


DIETRICH    VON  BERN.  113 

his  return  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains  for  eight  days,  and  then, 
seeing  that  he  did  not  appear,  he  strode  up  the  mountain  side. 
The  giant  encountered  him,  stunned  him  with  a  great  blow,  and 
dragged  him  into  the  den,  where,  thinking  him  senseless,  he 
leisurely  began  to  select  chains  with  which  to  bind  him  fast. 
Hildebrand,  however,  sprang  noiselessly  to  his  feet,  seized  a 
weapon  lying  near,  and  stealing  behind  a  pillar,  which  served 
him  as  a  shield,  he  attacked  Sigenot,  and  stretched  him  lifeless  at 
his  feet. 

A  moment  later  he  heard  Dietrich  caUing  him  from  the  depths 
of  the  cave.  To  spring  forward  and  free  his  pupil  from  his  chains 
was  the  work  of  a  moment,  and  then,  following  the 

'  °  Dietrich  res- 

dwarf,  who  openly  rejoiced  at  the  death  of  his  foe,  cued  by  Hiide- 
the  two  heroes  visited  the  underground  kingdom.  brand. 

There  they  were  hospitably  entertained,  their  wounds  were  healed, 
and  the  king  of  the  dwarfs  gave  them  the  finest  weapons  that 
they  had  ever  seen. 

While  hunting  in  the  Tyrolean  mountains  shortly  after  this  en- 
counter, Dietrich  confided  to  Hildebrand  that  he  had  fallen  in 
love  with  the  ice  fairy.  Virginal,  and  longed  to  see  her  again. 
This  confidence  was  suddenly  interrupted  by  the  appearance  of  a 
dwarf,  who  presented  himself  as  Bibung,  the  unconquerable  pro- 
tector of  Queen  Virginal,  but  who  in  the  same  breath  confessed 
that  she  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  magician  Ortgis.  The 
latter  kept  her  imprisoned  in  one  of  her  own  castles,  and  at  every 
new  moon  he  forced  her  to  surrender  one  of  the  snow  maidens, 
her  lovely  attendants,  whom  he  intended  to  devour  as  soon  as 
they  were  properly  fattened. 

Dietrich's  eyes  flashed  with  anger  when  he  heard  of  his  lady- 
love's distress,  and  bidding  the  dwarf  show  him  the  way,  he  forth- 
with set  out  to  rescue  her.  They  had  not  gone  very  far  before 
they  beheld  the  ice  queen's  palace  glittering  far  above  their  heads ; 
and  as  they  eagerly  climbed  upward  to  reach  it,  they  heard  cries 
of  terror,  and  saw  a  beautiful  girl  rush  down  the  pathway,  closely 
pursued  by  the  magician  and  his  mounted  train. 
8 


114  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Dietrich  allowed  the  maiden  to  pass  him,  and  then  stepped 
boldly  into  the  middle  of  the  path,  where  he  and  Hildebrand 
Magician  Ortgis  soon  succeeded  in  slaying  the  magician  and  all  his 
slain.  men.     Jambas,  the  son  of  Ortgis,  alone  effected 

his  escape  ;  but  Dietrich  and  his  master  closely  pursued  him,  took 
forcible  possession  of  his  castle,  set  the  captive  snow  maidens 
free,  and  fearlessly  slew  all  the  monsters  which  Jambas  conjured 
up  to  destroy  them.  Then,  resuming  their  interrupted  journey, 
Dietrich  and  Hildebrand  soon  came  face  to  face  with  the  self- 
styled  unconquerable  guardian  of  the  ice  queen.  He  had  been 
hiding  during  the  fray,  and  now  implored  them  to  hasten  forward, 
as  his  mistress  was  besieged  by  Jambas.  The  magician's  son  was 
anxious  to  secure  Virginal  and  all  her  maidens,  but  his  principal 
aim  was  to  appropriate  the  great  carbuncle  shining  in  the  queen's 
crown,  as  it  gave  the  possessor  full  power  over  the  elements,  the 
mountains,  and  all  who  ventured  within  reach  of  them. 

Thus  urged  to  greater  speed,  the  heroes  toiled  upward  faster 
and  faster,  and  soon  came  near  the  glittering  castle  of  Jeraspunt, 
and  the  besiegers.  The  latter  were  on  the  point  of  overpower- 
ing the  garrison  and  gaining  possession  of  the  queen.  When 
Dietrich  saw  her  on  the  battlement,  wringing  her  hands  in  de- 
spair, he  rushed  impetuously  forward,  crying  that  he  had  come 
to  save  her.  He  struck  right  and  left,  and  did  such  good  exe- 
cution with  his  sword  that  the  mountains  shook,  the  icebergs 
cracked,  and  great  avalanches,  rolling  down  into  the  abysses, 
carried  with  them  the  bodies  of  the  slain  which  he  hurled  down 
from  the  drawbridge. 

In  a  very  short  time  the  enemy  was  completely  routed,  and 

Dietrich  was  joyfully  welcomed  by  Virginal,  who,  touched  by  his 

Rescue  of  the    dcvotion,  Consented  to  forsake  her  glittering  castle, 

ice  queen.  jq  relinquish  her  sway  over  the  mountains,  and  to 
follow  him  down  into  the  green  valley.  Their  wedding  was  cele- 
brated in  Jeraspunt,  which  was  all  hung  in  bridal  white ;  and  the 
ice  queen  and  her  maidens  wore  misty  veils  and  crowns  of  glitter- 
ing diamonds,  which  sparkled  and  flashed  and  lit  up  the  whole 


DIETRICH    VOX   BEKX.  115 

scene  with  fairylike  splendor.  Some  versions  of  the  story  tell, 
however,  that  the  queen  soon  grew  homesick  down  in  the  green 
valley,  and,  deserting  her  hero  husband,  returned  to  her  palace 
on  the  mountain  top,  where  she  still  rules  supreme. 

Dietrich's  numerous  adventures  soon  became  the  theme  of  the 
wandering  bards  and  minstrels,  and  thus  the  rumor  of  his  courage 
came  to  the  ears  of  Heime,  the  son  of  the  northern  stud  keeper 
Studas.  After  distinguishing  himself  at  home  by  slaying  a  dragon, 
this  youth  obtained  from  his  father  the  steed  Rispa  and  the  sword 
Blutgang,  with  which  he  set  out  to  test  Dietrich's  courage,  vow- 
ing that  he  would  serve  him  forever  if  conquered  by  him. 

"  King  Tidrick  sits  intill  Bern  ; 

He  rooses  [boasts]  him  of  his  might ; 
Sae  mony  has  he  in  battle  cow'd, 

Baith  kemp  [rough]  and  doughty  knight." 

TJu  Ettin  Langshayiks  (Jamieson's  tr.). 

Heime  soon  reached  Bern,  boldly  challenged  Dietrich,  and  when 
defeated  entered  his  service,  after  procuring  for  his  master's  ex- 
clusive use  the  matchless  steed  Falke,  which  could  carry  even  such 
a  gigantic  man  as  Dietrich  without  showing  any  signs  of  fatigue, 
and  which  served  him  faithfully  for  many  a  year. 

The  rumor  of  Dietrich's  courage  also  came  to  Hehgoland, 
where  Wieland  (Way land,  or  Volund),  the  smith,  dwelt  with  his 
son  Wittich  (Witig).  The  latter,  determined  to  cross 
swords  with  the  hero  of  Bern,  persuaded  his  father 
to  give  him  the  celebrated  sword  Mimung,  by  the  help  of  which 
he  hoped  to  overcome  every  foe.  Wieland  also  fashioned  a  com- 
plete suit  of  armor  for  his  son,  gave  him  much  good  advice,  and 
parted  from  him,  bidding  him  to  prove  himself  worthy  of  his  an- 
cestors, and  to  call  upon  his  grandmother,  the  mermaid  Wachilde, 
if  he  were  ever  in  great  distress. 

Thus  instructed  Wittich  departed,  and  on  the  way  to  Bern  fell 
in  with  Hildebrand,  Heime,  and  Hornbogi,  another  of  Dietrich's 
noted  warriors.     They  concealed  their  names,  encouraged  the 


lib  LEGENDS   OE    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

stranger  to  talk,  and  soon  learned  where  he  was  going  and  on 
what  errand.  Master  Hildebrand,  hearing  of  the  magic  sword, 
and  anxious  to  preserve  his  pupil  from  its  blows,  allowed  Wittich 
to  fight  single-handed  against  twelve  robbers  in  a  mountain  pass. 
As  the  youth  disposed  of  them  all  without  receiving  a  scratch, 
Hildebrand  substituted  his  own  sword  blade  for  that  which  Wit- 
tich bore,  one  night  while  the  latter  was  peacefully  sleeping  at  an 
inn.  This  exchange  remained  unnoticed  until  Wittich  arrived  in 
Bern.  There,  while  fighting  with  Dietrich,  the  blade  suddenly 
snapped  in  two. 

Loudly  reproaching  his  father,  Wieland,  for  having  provided  him 
with  such  an  unreliable  weapon,  Wittich  was  about  to  announce 
himself  conquered,  when  Hildebrand,  realizing  that  he  had  not 
acted  honorably,  gave  him  back  his  own  blade.  Dietrich,  to  his 
surprise  and  dismay,  found  himself  conquered  in  this  second  en- 
counter, and  was  forced  to  acknowledge  that  he  owed  his  life  only 
to  Wittich's  magnanimity.  But  the  northern  hero  soon  confessed 
in  his  turn  that  had  it  not  been  for  his  magic  sword  he  would 
have  been  obliged  to  yield  to  Dietrich,  and  voluntarily  offered 
his  services  to  him,  thus  becoming  one  of  his  train. 

"  Sae  gladly  rode  they  back  to  Bern ; 
But  Tidrick  maist  was  glad ; 
And  Vidrich  o'  his  menyie  a' 
The  foremost  place  aye  had." 

The  Ettin  Langshanks  (Jamieson's  tr.). 

Dietrich's  next  adventure,  which  is  recorded  in  the  "  Eckenlied," 
was  with  the  giant  Ecke,  who  held  Bolfriana,  the  widowed  Lady 
of  Drachenfels,  and  her  nine  daughters,  in  his  power.  The  hero 
of  Bern  encountered  the  giant  by  night,  and,  in  spite  of  his  aver- 
sion to  fighting  at  such  a  time,  was  compelled  to  defend  himself 
against  the  giant's  blows.  He  was  about  to  succumb  when  his 
steed  Falke,  scenting  his  danger,  broke  loose  from  the  tree  to 
which  it  had  been  tied,  and  stamped  Ecke  to  death. 

Dietrich  now  rode  on  to  Drachenfels,  where  he  encountered 


DiE'j'R/cn  ro.y  /^f.kx.  117 

Fasolt,  Ecke's  brother,  and,  after  defeating  him  also,  and  deliver- 
ing the  captive  ladies,  went  back  to  Bern,  where  Fasolt  joined  his 
chosen  warriors.  Dietrich,  moreover,  dehvered  the  knight  Sin- 
tram  from  the  jaws  of  a  dragon,  and  made  him  one  of  his  follow- 
ers. Then,  having  appropriated  Ecke's  sword,  the  great  Eckesax, 
Dietrich  was  about  to  give  Nagelring  to  Heime  ;  but  hearing  that 
the  latter  had  stood  idly  by  while  Wittich  fought  single-handed 
against  twelve  robbers,  he  banished  him  from  his  presence,  bidding 
him  never  return  until  he  had  atoned  for  his  dishonorable  conduct 
by  some  generous  deed. 

Heime,  incensed  at  this  dismissal,  sulkily  withdrew  to  the  Fal- 
ster  wood  on  the  banks  of  the  Wisara  (Weser),  where  he  became 
chief  of  a  body  of  brigands,  ruthlessly  spoiled  travelers,  and  daily 
increased  the  hoard  he  was  piling  up  in  one  of  his  strongholds. 

But,  although  Dietrich  thus  lost  one  of  his  bravest  warriors,  his 
band  was  soon  reenforced  by  Hildebrand's  brother  Ilsan,  who, 
although  a  monk,  was  totally  unfitted  for  a  rehgious  life,  and 
greatly  preferred  fighting  to  praying.  There  also  came  to  Bern 
Wildeber  (Wild  Boar),  a  man  noted  for  his  great  strength.  He 
owed  this  strength  to  a  golden  bracelet  given  him  by  a  mermaid 
in  order  to  recover  her  swan  plumage,  which  he  had  secured. 

As  Dietrich  was  once  on  his  way  to  Romaburg  (Rome),  whither 
his  uncle  Ermenrich  had  invited  him,  he  accepted  the  proffered 
service  and  escort  of  Dietheb  the  Dane.    This  war-     DietUeb  the 
rior,  seeing  that  the  emp'eror  had  forgotten  to  pro-  ^^"^• 

vide  for  the  entertainment  of  Dietrich's  suite,  pledged  not  only  his 
own  steed  and  weapons,  but  also  his  master's  and  Hildebrand's, 
leading  a  joUy  life  upon  the  proceeds. 

When  the  time  of  departure  came,  and  Dietrich  called  for  his 
steed,  Dietheb  was  forced  to  confess  what  he  had  done.  The 
story  came  to  Ermenrich's  ears,  and  he  felt  called  upon  to  pay  the 
required  sum  to  release  his  guest's  weapons  and  steeds,  but  con- 
temptuously inquired  whether  Dietheb  were  good  at  anything  be- 
sides eating  and  drinking,  wherein  he  evidently  excelled.  Enraged 
by  this  taunt,  Dietlieb  challenged  Ermenrich's  champion  warrior. 


Ii8  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

VValther  von  Wasgenstein  (Vosges),  and  beat  him  at  spear  and 
stone  throwing.  He  next  performed  feats  hitherto  unheard  of, 
and  won  such  applause  that  Ermenrich  not  only  paid  all  his  debts, 
but  also  gave  him  a  large  sum  of  money,  which  this  promising 
young  spendthrift  immediately  expended  in  feasting  all  the  men 
at  arms. 

Dietlieb's  jests  and  jollity  so  amused  Isung,  the  imperial  min- 
strel, that  he  left  court  to  follow  him  to  the  land  of  the  Huns, 
where  the  fickle  youth  next  offered  his  services  to  Etzel  (Attila), 
The  King  of  the  Huns,  afraid  to  keep  such  a  mercurial  person 
near  him,  gave  him  the  province  of  Steiermark  (Styria),  bidding 
him  work  off  all  surplus  energy  by  defending  it  against  the  numer- 
ous enemies  always  trying  to  enter  his  realm. 

Some  time  after  this,  Dietlieb  returned  to  his  old  master  in  sor- 
row, for  his  only  sister,  Kunhild  (Similde,  or  Similt),  had  been 

The  dwarf  Carried  away  by  Laurin  (Alberich),  king  of  the 
Laurin.  dwarfs,  and  was  now  detained  prisoner  in  the  Tyro- 
lean mountains,  not  far  from  the  vaunted  Rose  Garden.  This 
place  was  surrounded  by  a  silken  thread,  and  guarded  most 
jealously  by  Laurin  himself,  who  exacted  the  left  foot  and  right 
hand  of  any  knight  venturing  to  enter  his  garden  or  break  off  a 
single  flower  from  its  stem. 

I  As  soon  as  Dietrich  heard  this,  he  promised  to  set  out  and  res- 
cue the  fair  Kunhild.  He  was  accompanied  by  Dietlieb,  Hilde- 
brand,  Wittich,  and  Wolfhart ;  and  as  they  came  to  the  Rose  Gar- 
den, all  the  heroes  except  Dietrich  and  Hildebrand  began  to 
trample  the  dainty  blossoms,  and  tried  to  break  the  silken  cord, 

"Wittich,  the  mighty  champion,  trod  the  roses  to  the  ground, 
Broke  down  the  gates,  and  ravaged  the  garden  far  renowned ; 
Gone  was  the  portals'  splendor,  by  the  heroes  bold  destroyed; 
The  fragrance  of  the  flowers  was  past,  and  all  the  garden's  pride." 

Heldenbuch  (Weber's  tr. ). 

While  they  were  thus  employed,  the  dwarf  Laurin  donned  his 
glittering  girdle  of  power,  which  gave  him  the  strength  of  twelve 


DIETRICH    VON  BERN.  119 

men,  brandished  a  sword  which  had  been  tempered  in  dragons' 
blood  and  could  therefore  cut  through  iron  and  stone,  and  put 
on  his  ring  of  victory  and  the  magic  cap  of  darkness,  Tarnkappe 
(Helkappe). 

Dietrich,  carefully  instructed  by  Hildebrand,  struck  off  this  cap, 
and  appropriated  it,  as  well  as  the  girdle  of  strength  and  the  ring 
of  victory.  He  was  so  angry  against  Laurin  for  resisting  him 
that  the  dwarf  king  soon  fled  to  Dietheb  for  protection,  promis- 
ing to  restore  Kunhild,  unless  she  preferred  to  remain  with  him 
as  his  wife. 

This  amicable  agreement  having  been  made,  Laurin  led  the 
knights  down  into  his  subterranean  palace,  which  was  illuminated 
by  carbuncles,  diamonds,  and  other  precious  stones.  Here  Kun- 
hild and  her  attendant  maidens,  attired  with  the  utmost  magnifi- 
cence, welcomed  them  hospitably  and  presided  at  the  banquet. 

"  Similt  into  the  palace  came,  with  her  little  maidens  all; 
Garments  they  wore  which  glittered  brightly  in  the  hall, 
Of  fur  and  costly  ciclatoun,  and  brooches  of  the  gold ; 
No  richer  guise  in  royal  courts  might  mortal  man  behold." 

Heldenbuch  (Weber's  tr.). 

The  wines,  however,  were  drugged,  so  the  brave  knights  soon 
sank  into  a  stupor ;  and  Laurin,  taking  a  base  advantage  of  their 
helplessness,  deprived  them  of  their  weapons,  bound  them  fast, 
and  had  them  conveyed  into  a  large  prison.  Dietheb  was  placed 
in  a  chamber  apart,  where,  as  soon  as  he  recovered  his  senses, 
Laurin  told  him  that  he  and  his  companions  were  doomed  to  die 
on  the  morrow. 

At  midnight  Dietrich  awoke.  Feehng  himself  bound,  his  wrath 
burned  hot  within  him,  and  his  breath  grew  so  fiery  that  it  con- 
sumed the  ropes  with  which  he  was  pinioned.  He  then  re- 
leased his  captive  companions,  and,  while  they  were  bewailing 
their  lack  of  weapons,  Kunhild  stealthily  opened  the  door.  Noise- 
lessly she  conducted  them  into  the  great  hall,  bade  them  resume 
possession  of  their  arms,  and  gave  each  a  golden  ring,  of  dwarf 


I20  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

manufacture,  to  enable  them  to  see  their  tiny  foes,  who  were  else 
invisible  to  all  of  mortal  birth. 

Joined  by  Dietlieb,  who  had  also  been  liberated  by  Kunhild, 
the  knights  now  roused  Laurin  and  his  host  of  giants  and  dwarfs, 
and,  after  an  encounter  such  as  mediaeval  poets  love  to  describe 
at  great  length,  routed  them  completely.  Laurin  was  made  pris- 
oner and  carried  in  chains  to  Bern,  where  Kunhild,  now  full  of 
compassion  for  him,  prevailed  upon  Dietrich  to  set  him  free,  pro- 
vided he  would  forswear  all  his  malicious  propensities  and  spend 
the  remainder  of  his  life  in  doing  good. 

When  this  promise  had  been  given,  Laurin  was  set  free ;  and 
after  marrying  Kunhild,  he  went  to  live  with  her  in  the  beautiful 
Rose  Garden  and  the  underground  palace,  which  peasants  and 
simple-hearted  Alpine  hunters  have  often  seen,  but  which  the 
worldly  wise  and  skeptical  have  always  sought  in  vain. 

The  mere  fact  of  his  having  come  off  victor  in  one  Rose  Gar- 
den affair  made  Dietrich  hail  with  joy  the  tidings  brought  by  a 
Rose  Garden  wandering  minstrel,  that  at  Worms,  on  the  Rhine, 
at  Worms.  Kriemhild  (Grimhild,  Gutrun,  etc.),  the  Burgundian 
princess,  had  a  similar  garden.  This  was  guarded  by  twelve 
brave  knights,  ever  ready  to  try  their  skill  against  an  equal  num- 
ber of  warriors,  the  prize  of  the  victor  being  a  rose  garland  and 
kisses  from  the  owner  of  this  charming  retreat. 

Eager  to  accept  this  challenge,  Dietrich  selected  Hildebrand, 
Wittich,  Wolfliart,  and  five  other  brave  men  ;  but  as  he  could  think 
of  no  others  worthy  to  share  in  the  adventure,  Hildebrand  sug- 
gested that  Rudiger  of  Bechlaren,  Diedieb  of  Steiermark,  and  his 
own  brother,  the  monk  Ilsan,  would  be  only  too  glad  to  help  them. 
This  litde  band  soon  rode  into  Worms,  where  Dietrich  and  his 
men  covered  themselves  Avith  glory  by  defeating  all  Kriemhild's 
champions,  and  winning  the  rose  gariands  as  well  as  the  kisses. 

The  knights,  if  we  are  to  believe  the  ancient  poem,  appreciated 
the  latter  reward  highly,  with  the  exception  of  the  rude  monk  Ilsan, 
who,  we  are  told,  scrubbed  the  princess's  delicate  cheek  with  his 
rough  beard  until  the  blood  flowed. 


DIETRICH   VON  BERN.  I2i 

"  And  when  Chrimhild,  the  queen,  gave  him  kisses  fifty-two, 
With  his  rough  and  grisly  beard  full  sore  he  made  her  rue, 
That  from  her  lovely  cheek  'gan  flow  the  rosy  blood : 
The  queen  was  full  of  sorrow,  but  the  monk  it  thought  him  good." 

Heldenbuch  (Weber's  tr. ). 

Then  Ilsan  carried  his  garlands  back  to  the  monastery,  where 
he  jammed  them  down  upon  the  monks'  bald  pates,  laughing 
aloud  when  he  saw  them  wince  as  the  sharp  thorns  pierced  them. 

On  his  way  home  Dietrich  visited  Etzel,  King  of  the  Huns,  and 
further  increased  his  train  by  accepting  the  services  of  Amalung, 
Hornbogi's  son,  and  of  Herbrand  the  wide-traveled.  On  his  ar- 
rival at  Bern,  he  found  that  his  father,  Dietmar,  was  dead,  and 
thus  Dietrich  became  King  of  the  Amaling  land  (Italy). 

Shortly  after  his  accession  to  the  throne,  he  went  to  help  Etzel, 
who  was  warring  against  Osantrix,  King  of  the  Wilkina  land 
(Norway  and  Sweden).     With  none  but  his  own       ^ 

\  J  I  Campaign 

followers,  Dietrich  invaded  the  Wilkina  land,  and      against  the 

,  ,  ,  ,      .  •  ij  TTM  1    1  J      "Wilkina  land. 

throughout  that  glorious  campaign  old  Hildebrand 

rode  ever  ahead,  bearing  aloft  his  master's  standard,  and  dealing 

many  memorable  blows. 

In  one  encounter,  Wittich  was  thrown  from  his  horse  and 
stunned.  Heime,  who  had  joined  the  army,  seeing  him  appar- 
ently lifeless,  snatched  the  sword  Mimung  out  of  his  nerveless 
grasp  and  bore  it  triumphantly  away.  Wittich,  however,  was 
not  dead,  but  was  soon  after  made  prisoner  by  Hertnit,  Earl  of 
Greece,  Osantrix's  brother,  who  carried  him  back  to  the  capital, 
where  he  put  him  in  prison. 

When  the  campaign  against  the  Wilkina  men  was  ended,  Die- 
trich and  his  army  returned  to  Bern,  leaving  Wildeber  in  Hungary 
to  ascertain  whether  Wittich  were  really  dead,  or  whether  he  still 
required  his  companions'  aid. 

Wishing  to  penetrate  unrecognized  into  the  enemy's  camp,  Wil- 
deber slew  and  flayed  a  bear,  donned  its  skin  over  his  armor,  and, 
imitating  the  uncouth  antics  of  the  animal  he  personated,  bade 
the  minstrel  Isung  lead  him  thus  disguised  to  Hertnit's  court. 


122  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

This  plan  was  carried  out,  and  the  minstrel  and  dancing  bear 
were  hailed  with  joy.  But  Isung  was  greatly  dismayed  when  Hert- 
■Wittich  rescued  i^it  insisted  upon  baiting  his  hunting  hounds  against 
by  \viideber.  t]-,g  bear,  who,  howevcr,  strangled  them  all,  one 
after  another,  without  seeming  to  feel  their  sharp  teeth.  Hertnit 
was  furious  at  the  loss  of  all  his  pack,  and  sprang  down  into  the 
pit  with  drawn  sword ;  but  all  his  blows  glanced  aside  on  the 
armor  concealed  beneath  the  rough  pelt.  Suddenly  the  pretended 
bear  stood  up,  caught  the  weapon  which  the  king  had  dropped, 
and  struck  off  his  head.  Then,  joining  Isung,  he  rushed  through 
the  palace  and  delivered  the  captive  Wittich  ;  whereupon,  seizing 
swords  and  steeds  on  their  way,  they  all  three  rode  out  of  the  city 
before  they  could  be  stopped. 

When  they  arrived  in  Bern  they  were  warmly  welcomed  by 
Dietrich,  who  forced  Heime  to  give  the  stolen  Mimung  back 
to  its  rightful  owner.  The  brave  warriors  were  not  long  allowed 
to  remain  inactive,  however,  for  they  were  soon  asked  to  help 
Ermenrich  against  his  revolted  vassal,  Rimstein.  They  besieged 
the  recalcitrant  knight  in  his  stronghold  of  Gerimsburg,  which 
was  given  to  Walther  von  ^Vasgenstein,  while  Wittich  was  re- 
warded for  his  services  by  the  hand  of  Bolfriana,  the  Lady  of 
Drachenfels,  and  thus  became  the  vassal  of  Ermenrich. 

The  estates  of  Ermenrich  were  so  extensive  and  so  difficult  to 

govern  that  he  was  very  glad  indeed  to  secure  as  prime  minister 

a  capable  nobleman  by  the  name  of  Sibich.     Un- 
Sibich.  .  ,        ,  .  ■' 

fortunately,  this  Sibich  had  a  remarkably  beautiful 

wife,  whom  the  emperor  once  insulted  during  her  hu.sband's 
absence.  As  soon  as  Sibich  returned  from  his  journey  his  wife 
told  him  all  that  had  occurred,  and  the  emperor's  conduct  so  en- 
raged the  minister  that  he  vowed  that  he  would  take  a  terrible 
revenge. 

The  better  to  accomplish  his  purpose,  Sibich  concealed  his 
resentment,  and  so  artfully  poisoned  Ermenrich's  mind  that  the 
latter  ordered  his  eldest  son  to  be  slain.  To  get  rid  of  the  second 
prince,  Sibich  induced  him  to  enter  a  leaky  vessel,  which  sank  as 


]^ji-:rRicii  ro.y  n/-:A'X.  123 

soon  as  he  was  out  at  sea.  Then,  when  the  [niine  minister  saw 
the  third  son,  Randwer,  paying  innocent  attentions  to  his  fair 
young  stepmother,  Swanhild,  daughter  of  Siegfried  and  Kricm- 
hild,  he  so  mahciously  distorted  the  afifair  that  Ermenrich  ordered 
this  son  to  be  hung,  and  his  young  wife  to  be  trampled  to  death 
under  the  hoofs  of  wild  horses. 

Sibich,  the  traitor,  having  thus  deprived  the  emperor  of  wife 
and  children,  next  resolved  to  rob  him  of  all  his  kin,  so  that  he 
might  eventually  murder  him  and  take  undisputed  possession  of 
the  empire.  ^Vith  this  purpose  in  view,  he  forged  letters  which 
incited  the  emperor  to  war  against  his  nephews,  the  Harlungs. 
These  two  young  men,  who  were  orphans,  dwelt  at  Breisach, 
under  the  guardianship  of  their  tutor,  the  faithful  Eckhardt.  They 
were  both  cruelly  slain,  and  the  disconsolate  tutor  fled  to  the 
court  of  Dietrich,  little  thinking  that  Ermenrich  would  soon  turn 
upon  this  his  last  male  relative,  also. 

Dietrich,  forsaken  by  Virginal,  and  anxious  to  marry  again,  had, 
in  the  mean  while,  sent  his  nephew  Herbart  to  Arthur's  court  in 
the  Bertanga  land  (Britain),  to  .sue  for  the  hand     Herbart  and 
of  Hilde,  his  fair  young  daughter.     But  Arthur,  Hiide. 

averse  to  sending  his  child  so  far  away,  would  not  at  first  permit 
the  young  ambassador  to  catch  a  ghmpse  of  her  face,  and  sent  her 
to  church  guarded  by  ten  vi^arriors,  ten  monks,  and  ten  duennas. 

In  spite  of  all  these  safeguards,  Herbart  succeeded  in  seeing 
the  princess,  and  after  ascertaining  that  she  was  very  beautiful, 
he  secured  a  private  interview^  and  told  her  of  his  master's  wish 
to  call  her  wife.  Hilde,  wishing  to  know  what  kind  of  a  man 
her  suitor  was,  begged  Herbart  to  draw  his  portrait ;  but  finding 
him  unprepossessing,  she  encouraged  Herbart  to  declare  his  own 
love,  and  soon  eloped  with  him. 

Dietrich  had  no  time  to  mourn  for  the  loss  of  this  expected 
bride,   however,   for  the  imperial  army  suddenly      Dietrich  in 
marched  into  the  Amaling  land,  and  invested  the  ^'"'^■ 

cities  of  Garden,  Milan,  Raben  (Ravenna),  and  Mantua.  Of 
course  these  successes  were  owing  to  treachery,  and  not  to  valor. 


124  LEGENDS   OF    THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

and  Dietrich,  to  obtain  the  release  of  Hildebrand  and  a  few 
other  faithful  followers,  who  had  fallen  into  the  enemy's  hands, 
was  forced  to  surrender  Bern  and  go  off  into  exile. 

As  he  had  thus  sacrificed  his  kingdom  to  obtain  their  freedom, 
it  is  no  wonder  that  these  men  proudly  accompanied  him  into 
banishment.  They  went  to  Susat,  where  they  were  warmly  wel- 
comed by  Etzel  and  Helche  (Herka),  his  wife,  who  promised  to 
care  for  Diether,  Dietrich's  brother,  and  have  him  brought  up 
with  her  own  sons. 

There  were  in  those  days  many  foreigners  at  Etzel's  court,  for 
he  had  secured  as  hostages  Hagen  of  Tronje,  from  the  Burgun- 
dians ;  the  Princess  Hildegunde,  from  the  Franks ;  and  Walther 
von  Wasgenstein  from  the  Duke  of  Aquitaine. 

During  the  twenty  years  which  Dietrich  now  spent  in  the  land 

of  the  Huns  fighting  for  Etzel,  peace  was  concluded  with  Bur- 

gundy,  and  Hagen  was  allowed  to  return  home. 

Aquitaine  and    Walther  of  Aquitaine  (or  von  Wasgenstein),  whose 

Hildegunde.  ,  ,  .  .  _       .  r    i  •    i  >i 

adventures  are  related  m  a  Latm  poem  of  the  eighth 
or  ninth  century,  had  fallen  in  love  with  Hildegunde.  Seeing 
that  Etzel,  in  spite  of  his  promises  to  set  them  both  free,  had  no 
real  intention  of  doing  so,  he  and  his  ladylove  cleverly  effected 
their  escape,  and  fled  to  the  Wasgenstein  (Vosges),  where  they 
paused  in  a  cave  to  recruit  their  exhausted  strength. 

Gunther,  King  of  Burgundy,  and  Hagen  of  Tronje,  his  ally, 
hearing  that  Walther  and  Hildegunde  were  in  the  neighborhood, 
and  desirous  of  obtaining  the  large  sum  of  gold  which  they  had 
carried  away  from  Etzel's  court,  set  out  to  attack  them,  with  a 
force  of  twelve  picked  men.  But  Hildegunde  was  watching 
while  Walther  slept,  and,  seeing  them  draw  near,  warned  her 
lover.  He,  inspired  by  her  presence,  slew  all  except  Gunther 
and  Hagen,  who  beat  a  hasty  retreat. 

They  did  not  return  to  Worms,  however,  but  lay  in  ambush 
beside  the  road,  and  when  Walther  and  Hildegunde  passed  by 
they  attacked  the  former  with  great  fury.  In  spite  of  the  odds 
against  him,  the  poem  relates  that  Walther  triumphantly  defeated 


DIETRICH   VON  BERN.  125 

them  both,  putting  out  one  of  Hagen's  eyes  and  cutting  off  one 
of  Gunther's  hands  and  one  of  his  feet. 

The  conflict  ended,  Hildegunde  bound  up  the  wounds  of  all 
three  of  the  combatants,  who  then  sat  down  to  share  a  meal 
together,  indulged  in  much  jocularity  about  their  wounds,  and, 
parting  amicably,  sought  their  respective  homes.  Walther  and 
Hildegunde  were  next  joyously  welcomed  by  their  relatives,  duly 
married,  and  reigned  together  over  Aquitaine  for  many  a  long 
year. 

In  the  mean  while  Dietrich  had  been  engaged  in  warring 
against  Waldemar,  King  of  Reussen  (Russia  and  Poland),  in  be- 
half of  Etzel,  who,  however,  forsook  him  in  a  cowardly  way,  and 
left  him  in  a  besieged  fortress,  in  the  midst  of  the  enemy's  land, 
with  only  a  handful  of  men.  In  spite  of  all  his  courage,  Dietrich 
would  have  been  forced  to  surrender  had  not  Riidiger  of  Bech- 
laren  come  to  his  rescue.  By  their  combined  efforts,  Waldemar 
was  slain,  and  his  son  was  brought  captive  to  Susat. 

Dietrich  and  his  noble  prisoner  were  both  seriously  wounded ; 
but  while  Queen  Helche  herself  tenderly  cared  for  the  young 
prince  of  Reussen,  who  was  her  kinsman,  Dietrich  Dietrich  and 
lay  neglected  and  alone  in  a  remote  part  of  the  Q"een  Heiche. 
palace.  The  young  prince  was  no  sooner  cured,  however,  than 
he  took  advantage  of  Etzel's  absence  to  escape,  although  Helche 
implored  him  not  to  do  so,  and  assured  him  that  she  would  have 
to  pay  for  his  absence  with  her  hfe. 

In  her  di.stress  Helche  now  thought  of  Dietrich,  who,  weak  and 
wounded,  rose  from  his  couch,  pursued  the  fugitive,  overtook  and 
slew  him,  and  brought  his  head  back  to  her.  The  Queen  of  the 
Huns  never  forgot  that  she  owed  her  life  to  Dietrich,  and  ever 
after  showed  herself  his  faithful  friend. 

Twenty  years  had  passed  since  Dietrich  left  his  native  land  ere 
he  asked  to  return.  Helche  promised  him  the  aid  of  her  sons,  Erp 
and  Ortwine,  whom  she  armed  herself,  and  furnished  one  thou- 
sand men.  Etzel,  seeing  this,  also  offered  his  aid,  and  Dietrich 
marched  back  to  the  Amaling  land  with  all  his  companions,  and 


126  LEGENDS   OF    THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

with  an  army  commanded  by  the  two  Hun  princes  and  Riidiger's 
only  son,  Nudung. 

The  van  of  the  army  took  Garden  and  Padauwe  (Padua),  and 
with  Dietrich  at  its  head  made  a  triumphant  entrance  into  Bern. 
But,  hearing  that  Ermenrich  was  coming  against  him,  Dietrich 
now  went  to  meet  him,  and  fought  a  terrible  battle  near  Raben 
in  493.  The  hero  of  Bern  distinguished  himself,  as  usual,  in  this 
fray,  until,  hearing  that  Nudung,  the  two  Hun  princes,  and  his 
young  brother,  Diether,  had  all  been  slain,  he  became  almost  in- 
sane with  grief. 

In  his  fury  he  wildly  pursued  Wittich,  his  former  servant  and 
Diether's  murderer,  and  would  have  slain  him  had  the  latter  not 
saved  himself  by  plunging  into  the  sea.  Here  his  ancestress,  the 
swan  maiden  Wachilde,  took  charge  of  him,  and  conveyed  him 
to  a  place  of  safety.  Then,  although  victorious,  Dietrich  dis- 
covered that  he  had  no  longer  enough  men  left  to  maintain  him- 
self in  his  reconquered  kingdom,  and  mournfully  returned  to  Susat 
with  the  bodies  of  the  slain. 

It  was  during  his  second  sojourn  at  the  court  of  the  Huns  that 

Dietrich  married  Herrat  (Herand),  Princess  of  Transylvania,  a 

,     relative  of  Helche.     The  latter  died  soon  after  their 

Marriage  of 

Dietrich  and  union.  Three  years  later  Etzel  married  Kriem- 
hild,  Siegfried's  widow ;  and  now  occiirred  the 
fall  of  the  brave  Nibelung  knights,  recorded  in  the  "  Nibelun- 
genlied."  Dietrich,  as  we  have  seen,  took  an  active  part  in  the 
closing  act  of  this  tragedy,  and  joined  in  the  final  lament  over 
the  bodies  of  the  slain. 

Ten  years  after  the  terrible  battle  of  Raben,  Dietrich  again  re- 
solved to  make  an  attempt  to  recover  his  kingdom,  and  set  out 
with  only  a  very  few  followers.  As  Ermenrich  had  succumbed, 
either  under  the  swords  of  Swanhild's  brothers,  as  already  re- 
lated, or  by  the  poison  secretly  administered  by  the  traitor  Sibich, 
the  crown  was  now  offered  to  Dietrich,  who  was  glad  to  accept  it. 

-Ml  the  lost  cities  were  gradually  recovered,  and  Hildebrand, 
coming  to  Garden,  encountered  his  son  Hadubrand  (Alebrand), 


nri'/rRicir  von  r.i'.KX.  127 

who,  having  grown  up  during  his  absence,  did  not  recognize  him, 
and  challenged  him  to  fight.  Mighty  blows  were  exchanged  be- 
tween father  and  son,  each  of  whom,  in  the  pauses  of  the  combat, 
anxiously  besought  the  other  to  reveal  his  name.  It  was  only 
when  their  strength  was  exhausted  that  Hadubrand  revealed 
who  he  was,  and  father  and  son,  dropping  their  bloody  swords, 
embraced  with  tears. 

"  So  spake  Hadubrand, 
Son  of  Hildebrand : 
'  Said  unto  me 
Some  of  our  people, 
Shrewd  and  old, 
Gone  hence  already, 

That  Hildebrand  was  my  father  called, — 
I  am  called  Hadubrand. 
Erewhile  he  eastward  went, 
Escaping  from  Odoaker, 
Thither  with  Theodoric 
And  his  many  men  of  battle. 

Here  he  left  in  the  land,  > 

Lorn  and  lonely, 
Bride  in  bower, 
Bairn  ungrown, 
Having  no  heritage.'  " 

Song  of  Hildebrand  (Bayard  Taylor's  tr.). 

Hildebrand  then  rejoined  his  wife,  Ute,  and  Dietrich,  having 
slain  the  traitor  Sibich,  who  had  made  an  attempt  to  usurp  the 
throne,  marched  on  to  Romaburg  (Rome),  where  he  was  crowned 
Emperor  of  the  West,  under  the  name  of  Theodoric.  Some  time 
after  his  accession,  Dietrich  lost  his  good  wife  Herrat,  whom, 
according  to  some  accounts,  he  mourned  as  long  as  he  lived. 
According  to  others  he  married  again,  taking  as  wife  Liebgart, 
widow  of  Ortnit. 

Etzel,  according  to  this  version,  having  been  lured  by  Aldrian, 
Hagen's  son,  into  the  cave  where  the  Nibelungen  hoard  was  kept, 
was  locked  up  there,  and  died  of  hunger  while  contemplating  the 


128  LEGENDS   OF.  THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

gold  he  coveted.  His  estates  then  became  the  property  of  Die- 
trich, who  thus  became  undisputed  ruler  of  nearly  all  the  southern 
part  of  Europe. 

In  his  old  age  Dietrich,  weary  of  life  and  imbittered  by  its 

many  trials,  ceased  to  take  pleasure  in  anything  except  the  chase. 

„.     .  ^      _,     One  day,  while  he  was  bathing  in  a  limpid  stream, 

Dietrich  and  -'  '  _        °  '^  ' 

the  coal-black  his  servant  came  to  tell  him  that  there  was  a  fine 
stag  in  sight.  Dietrich  immediately  called  for  his 
horse,  and  as  it  was  not  instantly  forthcoming,  he  sprang  upon  a 
coal-black  steed  standing  near,  and  was  borne  rapidly  away. 

The  servant  rode  after  as  fast  as  possible,  but  could  never 
overtake  Dietrich,  who,  the  peasants  aver,  was  spirited  away,  and 
now  leads  the  Wild  Hunt  upon  the  same  sable  steed,  which  he 
is  doomed  to  ride  until  the  judgment  day. 

In  spite  of  this  fabulous  account,  however,  the  tomb  of  Theo- 
doric  is  still  to  be  seen  near  Verona,  but  history  demonstrates  the 
impossibility  of  the  story  of  Dietrich  von  Bern,  by  proving  that 
Theodoric  was  not  born  until  after  the  death  of  Attila,  the  un- 
mistakeable  original  of  the  Etzel  in  the  "  Heldenbuch." 


L 


o 
a 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

CHARLEMAGNE    AND    HIS    PALADINS. 

One  of  the  favorite  heroes  of  early  mediaeval  literature  is 
Charlemagne,  whose  name  is  connected  with  countless  romantic 
legends  of  more  or  less  antique  origin.  The  son  of  Pepin  and 
Bertha  the  "  large  footed,"  this  monarch  took  up  his  abode  near 
the  Rhine  to  repress  the  invasions  of  the  northern  barbarians, 
awe  them  into  submission,  and  gradually  induce  them  to  accept 
the  teachings  of  the  missionaries  he  sent  to  convert  them. 

As  Charlemagne  destroyed  the  Irminsul,  razed  heathen  tem- 
ples and  groves,  abolished  the  Odinic  and  Druidic  forms  of  wor- 
ship, conquered  the  Lombards  at  the  request  of  xhe  champion 
the  Pope,  and  defeated  the  Saracens  in  Spain,  he  °f  Christianity, 
naturally  became  the  champion  of  Christianity  in  the  chronicles 
of  his  day.  All  the  heroic  actions  of  his  predecessors  (such  as 
Charles  Martel)  were  soon  attributed  to  him,  and  when  these 
legends  were  turned  into  popular  epics,  in  the  tenth  and  eleventh 
centuries,  he  became  the  principal  hero  of  France.  The  great 
deeds  of  his  paladins,  Roland,  Oliver,  Ogier  the  Dane,  Renaud 
de  Montauban,  and  others,  also  became  the  favorite  theme  of 
the  poets,  and  were  soon  translated  into  every  European  tongue. 

The  Latin  chronicle,  falsely  attributed  to  Bi.shop  Turpin,  Charle- 
magne's prime  minister,  but  dating  from  1095,  is  one  of  the  oldest 
versions  of  Charlemagne's  fabulous  adventures  now  extant.  It 
contains  the  mythical  account  of  the  battle  of  Roncesvalles  (Vale 
of  Thorns),  told  with  inlinite  repetition  and  detail  so  as  to  give 
it  an  appearance  of  reality. 

9  129 


130  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

Einhard,  the  son-in-law  and  historian  of  Charlemagne,  records  a 

partial  defeat  in  the  Pyrenees  in  TTJ-^nS,  and  adds  that  Hroud- 

Chanson  de      landus  was  slain.    From  this  bald  statement  arose 

Roland.  the  mediaeval  "  Chanson  de  Roland,"  which  was 
still  sung  at  the  battle  of  Hastings.  The  probable  author  of  the 
French  metrical  version  is  Turoldus ;  but  the  poem,  numbering 
originally  four  thousand  lines,  has  gradually  been  lengthened, 
until  now  it  includes  more  than  forty  thousand.  There  are  eariy 
French,  Latin,  German,  Itahan,  English,  and  Icelandic  versions 
of  the  adventures  of  Roland,  which  in  the  fourteenth  and  fif- 
teenth centuries  were  turned  into  prose,  and  formed  the  basis  of 
the  "  Romans  de  Chevalerie,"  which  were  popular  for  so  many 
years.  Numerous  variations  can,  of  course,  be  noted  in  these 
tales,  which  have  been  worked  over  again  by  the  Itahan  poets 
Ariosto  and  Boiardo,  and  even  treated  by  Buchanan  in  our  day. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  give  in  this  work  a  complete  syn- 
opsis of  all  the  chansons  de  gestes  referring  to  Charlemagne  and 
his  paladins,  so  we  will  content  ourselves  with  giving  an  abstract 
of  the  most  noted  ones  and  telling  the  legends  which  are  found 
in  them,  which  have  gradually  been  woven  around  those  famous 
names  and  connected  with  certain  localities. 

We  are  told  that  Charlemagne,  having  built  a  beautiful  new 
palace  for  his  use,  overlooking  the  Rhine,  was  roused  from  his 

,     ,  sleep  during  the  first  night  he  spent  there  by  the 

Charlemagne  r  &  o  x^  ^ 

and  the  heaven-  touch  of  an  angclic  hand,  and,  to  his  utter  surprise, 
ly  message.  ^j^j.j^g  heard  the  heavenly  messenger  bid  him  go 
forth  and  steal.  Not  daring  to  disobey,  Chariemagne  stole  un- 
noticed out  of  the  palace,  saddled  his  steed,  and,  armed  cap-a- 
pie,  started  out  to  fulfill  the  angelic  command. 

He  had  not  gone  far  when  he  met  an  unknown  knight,  evi- 
dently lx)und  on  the  same  errand.  To  challenge,  lay  his  lance 
in  rest,  charge,  and  unhorse  his  opponent,  was  an  easy  matter  for 
Chariemagne.  When  he  learned  that  he  had  disarmed  Elbegast 
(^Iberich),  the  notorious  highwayman,  he  promised  to  let  him  go 
free  if  he  would  only  help  him  steal  something  that  night. 


CHARLEMAGM-:    AM)    HIS   I'ALADIXS.  131 

Guided  by  Elbegast,  Charlemagne,  still  incognito,  went  to  the 
castle  of  one  of  his  ministers,  and,  thanks  to  Elbegast's  cunning, 
penetrated  unseen  into  his  bedroom.  There,  crouching  in  the 
dark,  Charlemagne  overheard  him  confide  to  his  wife  a  plot  to 
murder  the  emperor  on  the  morrow.  Patiently  biding  his  time 
until  they  were  sound  asleep,  Charlemagne  picked  up  a  worthless 
trifle,  and  noiselessly  made  his  way  out,  returning  home  unseen. 
On  the  morrow,  profiting  by  the  knowledge  thus  obtained,  he 
cleverly  outwitted  the  conspirators,  whom  he  restored  to  favor  only 
after  they  had  solemnly  sworn  future  loyalty.  As  for  Elbegast, 
he  so  admired  the  only  man  who  had  ever  succeeded  in  conquer- 
ing him  that  he  renounced  his  dishonest  profession  to  enter  the 
emperor's  service. 

In  gratitude  for  the  heavenly  vision  vouchsafed  him,  the  em- 
peror named  his  new  palace  Ingelheim  (Home  of  the  Angel),  a 
name  which  the  place  has  borne  ever  since.  This  thieving  epi- 
sode is  often  alluded  to  in  the  later  romances  of  chivalry,  where 
knights,  called  upon  to  justify  their  unlawful  appropriation  of  an- 
other's goods,  disrespectfully  remind  the  emperor  that  he  too  once 
went  about  as  a  thief. 

When  Charlemagne's  third  wife  died,  he  married  a  beautiful 
Eastern  princess  by  the  name  of  Frastrada,  who,  aided  by  a  magic 
ring,  soon  won  his  most  devoted  affection.  The  Frastrada's 
new  queen,  however,  did  not  long  enjoy  her  power,  magic  nng. 
for  a  dangerous  illness  overtook  her.  When  at  the  point  of  death, 
fearful  lest  her  ring  should  be  worn  by  another  while  she  was 
buried  and  forgotten,  Frastrada  slipped  the  magic  circlet  into  her 
mouth  just  before  she  breathed  her  last. 

Solemn  preparations  were  made  to  bury  her  in  the  cathedral 
of  Mayence  (where  a  stone  bearing  her  name  could  still  be  seen  a 
few  years  ago),  but  the  emperor  refused  to  part  with  the  beloved 
body.  Neglectful  of  all  matters  of  state,  he  remained  in  the  mor- 
tuary chamber  day  after  day.  His  trusty  adviser,  Turpin,  sus- 
pecting the  presence  of  some  mysterious  talisman,  slipped  in.to 
the  room  while  the  emperor,  exhausted  with  fasting  and  weeping, 


132  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

was  wrapped  in  sleep.     After  carefully  searching  for  the  magic 
jewel,  Turpin  discovered  it,  at  last,  in  the  dead  queen's  mouth. 

"He  searches  with  care,  though  with  tremulous  haste, 
For  the  spell  that  bewitches  the  king; 
And  under  her  tongue,  for  security  placed, 
Its  margin  with  mystical  characters  traced, 
At  length  he  discovers  a  ring." 

Southed',  King  Charkmain. 

To  secure  this  ring  and  slip  it  on  his  finger  was  but  the  aflfair 
of  a  moment ;  but  just  as  Turpin  was  about  to  leave  the  room  the 
Turpin  and  the   emperor  awoke.     With  a  shuddering  glance  at  the 

magic  ring,  dead  quccu,  Charlemagne  flung  himself  passion- 
ately upon  the  neck  of  his  prime  minister,  declaring  that  he  would 
never  be  quite  inconsolable  as  long  as  he  was  near. 

Taking  advantage  of  the  power  thus  secured  by  the  possession 
of  the  magic  ring,  Turpin  led  Charlemagne  away,  forced  him  to 
eat  and  drink,  and  after  the  funeral  induced  him  to  resume  the 
reins  of  the  government.  But  he  soon  wearied  of  his  master's 
constant  protestations  of  undying  affection,  and  ardently  longed 
to  get  rid  of  the  ring,  which,  however,  he  dared  neither  to  hide 
nor  to  give  away,  for  fear  it  should  fall  into  unscrupulous  hands. 

Although  advanced  in  years,  Turpin  was  now  forced  to  accom- 
pany Charlemagne  everywhere,  even  on  his  hunting  expeditions, 
and  to  share  his  tent.  One  moonlight  night  the  unhappy  minis- 
ter stole  noiselessly  out  of  the  imperial  tent,  and  wandered  alone 
in  the  woods,  cogitating  how  to  dispose  of  the  unlucky  ring.  As 
he  walked  thus  he  came  to  a  glade  in  the  forest,  and  saw  a  deep 
pool,  on  whose  mirrorUke  surface  the  moonbeams  softly  played. 
Suddenly  the  thought  struck  him  that  the  waters  would  soon 
close  over  and  conceal  the  magic  ring  forever  in  their  depths ; 
and,  drawing  it  from  his  finger,  he  threw  it  into  the  pond.  Tur- 
pin then  retraced  his  steps,  and  soon  fell  asleep).  On  the  morrow 
he  was  delighted  to  perceive  that  the  spell  was  broken,  and  that 
Charlemagne  had  returned  to  the  old  undemonstrative  friendship 
which  had  bound  them  for  many  a  year. 


CIIARI.EMAGKE  AKD   HIS  PALADINS.  133 

"  Ovcrjoy'd,  the  good  prelate  rcmeniber'd  the  spell, 
And  far  in  the  lake  flung  the  ring; 
The  waters  closed  round  it ;  and,  wondrous  to  tell, 
Released  from  the  cursed  enchantment  of  hell, 
His  reason  return'd  to  the  king." 

Sol■THE^•,  King  Charletnain. 

Charlemagne,  however,  seemed  unusually  restless,  and  soon 
went  out  to  hunt.  In  the  coui'se  of  the  day,  having  lost  sight  of 
his  suite  in  the  pursuit  of  game,  he  came  to  the  little  glade,  where, 
dismounting,  he  threw  himself  on  the  grass  beside  the  pool,  de- 
claring that  he  would  fain  linger  there  forever.  The  spot  was  so 
charming  that  he  even  gave  orders,  ere  he  left  it  that  night,  that 
a  palace  should  be  erected  there  for  his  use  ;  and  this  building  was 
the  nucleus  of  his  favorite  capital,  Aix-la-Chapelle  (Aachen). 

"  But  he  built  him  a  palace  there  close  By  the  bay, 
And  there  did  he  love  to  remain  ; 
And  the  traveler  who  will,  may  behold  at  this  day 
A  monument  still  in  the  ruins  at  Aix 
Of  the  spell  that  possess'd  Charlemain." 

SouTHEN',  King  Charletnain. 

According  to  tradition,  Charlemagne  had  a  sister  by  the  name 
of  Bertha,  who,  against  his  will,  married  the  brave  young  knight 
Milon.  Rejected  by  the  emperor,  and  therefore  scorned  by  all, 
the  young  couple  lived  in  obscurity  and  poverty.  They  were  very 
happy,  however,  for  they  loved  each  other  dearly,  and  rejoiced 
in  the  beauty  of  their  infant  son  Roland,  who  even  in  babyhood 
showed  signs  of  uncommon  courage  and  vigor. 

One  version  of  the  story  relates,  however,  that  Milon  perished 
in  a  flood,  and  that  Bertha  was  almost  dying  of  hunger  while  her 
brother,  a  short  distance  away,  was  entertaining  all    Charlemagne 
his  courtiers  at  his  board.    Little  Roland,  touched      and  the  boy 

Roland. 

by  his  mother's  condition,  walked  fearle.ssly  into  the 

banquet  hall,  boldly  advanced  to  the  table,  and  carried  away  a 

dishful  of  meat.    As  the  emperor  seemed  amused  at  the  little  lad's 


134  LEGEXDS  OF   THE  MIDDLE  ACES. 

fearlessness,  the  servants  did  not  dare  to  interfere,  and  Roland 
bore  ofif  the  dish  in  triumph. 

A  few  minutes  later  he  reentered  the  hall,  and  with  equal  cool- 
ness laid  hands  upon  the  emperor's  cup,  full  of  rich  wine.  Chal- 
lenged by  Charlemagne,  the  child  then  boldly  declared  that  he 
wanted  the  meat  and  wine  for  his  mother,  a  lady  of  high  degree. 
In  answer  to  the  emperor's  bantering  questions,  he  declared  that 
he  was  his  mother's  cupbearer,  her  page,  and  her  gallant  knight, 
which  answers  so  amused  Charlemagne  that  he  sent  for  her.  He 
then  remorsefully  recognized  her,  treated  her  with  kindness  as 
long  as  she  lived,  and  took  her  son  into  his  own  service. 

Another  legend  relates  that  Charlemagne,  hearing  that  the  rob- 
ber knight  of  the  Ardennes  had  a  priceless  jewel  set  in  his  shield, 
called  all  his  bravest  noblemen  together,  and  bade  them  sally 
forth  separately,  with  only  a  page  as  escort,  in  quest  of  the  knight. 
Once  found,  they  were  to  challenge  him  in  true  knightly  fashion, 
and  at  the  point  of  the  lance  win  the  jewel  he  wore.  A  day  was 
appointed  when,  successful  or  not,  the  courtiers  were  to  return, 
and,  beginning  with  the  lowest  in  rank,  were  to  give  a  truthful 
account  of  their  adventures  while  on  the  quest. 

All  the  knights  departed  and  scoured  the  forest  of  the  Ardennes, 
each  hoping  to  meet  the  robber  knight  and  win  the  jewel.  Among 
them  was  Milon,  accompanied  by  his  son  Roland,  a  lad  of  fifteen, 
whom  he  had  taken  as  page  and  armor-bearer.  Milon  had  spent 
many  days  in  vain  search  for  the  knight,  when,  exhausted  by  his 
long  ride,  he  dismounted,  removed  his  heavy  armor,  and  lay  down 
under  a  tree  to  sleep,  bidding  Roland  keep  close  watch  during  his 
slumbers. 

Roland  watched  faithfully  for  a  while ;  then,  fired  by  a  desire 
to  distinguish  himself,  he  donned  his  father's  armor,  sprang  on  his 
Roland  and  the  Steed,  and  rode  into  the  forest  in  search  of  adven- 
jewei.  tures.     He  had  not  gone  very  far  when  he  saw  a 

gigantic  horseman  coming  to  meet  him,  and,  by  the  dazzling  gHt- 
ter  of  a  large  stone  set  in  his  shield,  he  recognized  in  him  the  in- 
vincible knight  of  the  Ardennes.    Afraid  of  nothing,  however,  the 


CHARLEMAGNE  AND   II IS  PALADINS.  135 

lad  laid  his  lance  in  rest  when  challenged  to  fight,  and  charged  so 
bravely  that  he  unhorsed  the  knight.  A  fearful  battle  on  foot  en- 
sued, where  many  gallant  blows  were  given  and  received  ;  yet  the 
victory  finally  remained  with  Roland.  He  slew  his  adversary,  and 
wrenching  the  jewel  from  his  shield,  hid  it  in  his  breast.  Then, 
riding  rapidly  back  to  his  sleeping  father,  Roland  laid  aside  the 
armor,  and  removed  all  traces  of  a  bloody  encounter.  When  Milon 
awoke  he  resumed  the  quest,  and  soon  came  upon  the  body  of  the 
dead  knight.  When  he  saw  that  another  had  won  the  jewel,  he 
was  disappointed  indeed,  and  sadly  rode  back  to  court,  to  be  pres- 
ent on  the  appointed  day.    , 

Charlemagne,  seated  on  his  throne,  bade  the  knights  appear  be- 
fore him,  and  relate  their  adventures.  One  after  another  strode 
up  the  hall,  followed  by  an  armor-bearer  holding  his  shield,  and 
all  told  of  finding  the  knight  slain  and  the  jewel  gone,  and  pro- 
duced head,  hands,  feet,  or  some  part  of  his  armor,  in  token  of  the 
truth  of  their  story.  Last  of  all  came  Milon,  with  lowering  brows, 
although  Roland  walked  close  behind  him,  proudly  holding  his 
shield,  in  the  center  of  which  the  jewel  shone  radiant.  Milon 
related  his  search,  and  reported  that  he  too  had  found  the  giant 
knight  slain  and  the  jewel  gone.  A  shout  of  incredulity  made  him 
turn  his  head.  But  when  he  saw  the  jewel  blazing  on  his  shield 
he  appeared  so  amazed  that  Charlemagne  questioned  Roland,  and 
soon  learned  how  it  had  been  obtained.  In  reward  for  his  brav- 
ery in  this  encounter,  Roland  was  knighted  and  allowed  to  take 
his  place  among  his  uncle's  paladins,  of  which  he  soon  became 
the  most  renowned. 

Charlemagne,  according  to  the  old  chanson  de  geste  entitled 
"  Ogier  le  Danois,"  made  war  against  the  King  of  Denmark,  de- 
feated him,  and  received  his  son  Ogier  (Olger  or  Holger  Danske) 
as  hostage.  The  young  Danish  prince  was  favored  by  the  fairies 
from  the  time  of  his  birth,  six  of  them  having  appeared  to  bring 
him  gifts  while  he  was  in  his  cradle.  The  first  five  promised  him 
every  earthly  bhss  ;  while  the  sixth,  Morgana,  foretold  that  he  would 
never  die,  but  would  dwell  with  her  in  Avalon. 


136  LEGENDS   OE   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

Ogier  the  Dane,  owing  to  a  violation  of  the  treaty  on  his 
father's  part,  was  soon  confined  in  the  prison  of  St.  Omer. 
Ogier  king  of  There  he  beguiled  the  weariness  of  captivity  by  fall- 
Denmark.  ij-,g  iji  love  with,  and  secretly  marrying,  the  gover- 
nor's daughter  Bellissande.  Charlemagne,  being  about  to  depart 
for  war,  and  wishing  for  the  hero's  help,  released  him  from  cap- 
tivity ;  and  when  Ogier  returned  again  to  France  he  heard  that 
Belhssande  had  borne  him  a  son,  and  that,  his  father  having  died, 
he  was  now  the  lawful  king  of  Denmark. 

Ogier  the  Dane  then  obtained  permission  to  return  to  his  native 
land,  where  he  spent  several  years,  reigning  so  wisely  that  he  was 
adored  by  all  his  subjects.  Such  is  the  admiration  of  the  Danes 
for  this  hero  that  the  common  people  still  declare  that  he  is  either 
in  Avalon,  or  sleeping  in  the  vaults  of  Elsinore,  and  that  he  will 
awaken,  like  Frederick  Barbarossa,  to  save  his  country  in  the  time 
of  its  direst  need. 

"  '  Thou  know'st  it,  peasant !     I  am  not  dead; 
I  come  back  to  thee  in  my  glory. 
I  am  thy  faithful  helper  in  need. 
As  in  Denmark's  ancient  story.'  " 

Ingemann,  Holger  Danske. 

After  some  years  spent  in  Denmark,  Ogier  returned  to  France, 
where  his  son,  now  grown  up,  had  a  dispute  with  Prince  Chariot 
Ogier  and  Char-  over  a  game  of  chess.    The  dispute  became  so  bit- 

lemagne.  jg^.  j.|^g^^  ^^  priucc  uscd  the  chcssboard  as  weapon, 
and  killed  his  antagonist  with  it.  Ogier,  indignant  at  the  murder, 
and  unable  to  find  redress  at  the  hands  of  Charlemagne,  insulted 
him  grossly,  and  fled  to  Didier  (Desiderius),  King  of  Lombardy, 
with  wliom  the  Franks  were  then  at  feud. 

Several  ancient  poems  represent  Didier  on  his  tower,  anxiously 
watching  the  approach  of  the  ciK-ni}',  and  f]uestioning  his  guest  as 
to  the  personal  appearance  of  Charlemagne.  These  poems  have 
been  imitated  by  Longfellow  in  one  of  his  "  Tales  of  a  Wayside 
Inn." 


CHARLEMAGNE  AND  HIS  PALADINS.  137 

"  Olger  the  Dane,  and  Desiderio, 
King  of  the  Lombards,  on  a  lofty  tower 
Stood  gazing  northward  o'er  the  rolling  plains, 
League  after  league  of  harvests,  to  the  foot 
Of  the  snow-crested  Alps,  and  saw  approach 
A  mighty  army,  thronging  all  the  roads 
That  led  into  the  city.     And  the  King 
Said  unto  Olger,  who  had  passed  his  youth 
As  hostage  at  the  court  of  France,  and  knew 
The  Emperor's  form  and  face,  '  Is  Charlemagne 
Among  that  host  ?  '     And  Olger  answered,  '  No.  '  " 

Longfellow,  Tales  0/ a  Wayside  Inn. 

This  poet,  who  has  made  this  part  of  the  legend  familiar  to 
all  English  readers,  then  describes  the  vanguard  of  the  army,  the 
paladins,  the  clergy,  all  in  full  panoply,  and  the  gradually  increas- 
ing terror  of  the  Lombard  king,  who,  long  before  the  emperor's 
approach,  would  fain  have  hidden  himself  underground.  Finally 
Charlemagne  appears  in  iron  mail,  brandishing  aloft  his  invinci- 
ble sword  "  Joyeuse,"  and  escorted  by  the  main  body  of  his  army, 
grim  fighting  men,  at  tlie  mere  sight  of  whom  even  Ogier  the 
Dane  is  struck  with  fear. 

"  This  at  a  single  glance  Olger  the  Dane 
Saw  from  the  tower ;  and,  turning  to  the  King, 
Exclaimed  in  haste  :    '  Behold  !  this  is  the  man 
You  looked  for  with  such  eagerness  ! '  and  then 
Fell  as  one  dead  at  Desiderio's  feet." 

Longfellow,  Talcs  of  a  Wayside  Inn. 

Charlemagne  soon  overpowered  the  Lombard  king,  and  as- 
sumed the  iron  crown,  while  Ogier  escaped  from  the  castle  in 
which  he  was  besieged.  Shortly  after,  however,  when  asleep  near 
a  fountain,  the  Danish  hero  was  surprised  by  Turpin.  When  led 
before  Charlemagne,  he  obstinately  refused  all  proffers  of  recon- 
ciliation, and  insisted  upon  Chariot's  death,  until  an  angel  from 
heaven  forbade  his  asking  the  life  of  Charlemagne's  son.  Then, 
foregoing  his  revenge  and  fully  reinstated  in  the  royal  good  graces, 


138  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Ogier,  according  to  a  thirteenth-century  epic  by  Adenet,  success- 
fully encountered  a  Saracenic  giant,  and  in  reward  for  his  ser- 
vices received  the  hand  of  Clarice,  Princess  of  England,  and  be- 
came king  of  that  realm. 

Weary  of  a  peaceful  existence,  Ogier  finally  left  England,  and 
journeyed  to  the  East,  where  he  successfully  besieged  Acre,  Baby- 
Ogier  in  the  lon,  and  Jerusalem.  On  his  way  back  to  France, 
^^^^-  the  ship  was  attracted  by  the  famous  lodestone  rock 

which  appears  in  many  mediaeval  romances,  and,  all  his  compan- 
ions having  perished,  Ogier  wandered  alone  ashore.  There  he 
came  to  an  adamantine  castle,  invisible  by  day,  but  radiant  at 
night,  where  he  was  received  by  the  famous  horse  Papillon,  and 
sumptuously  entertained.  On  the  morrow,  while  wandering  across 
a  flowery  meadow,  Ogier  encountered  Morgana  the  fay,  who  gave 
him  a  magic  ring.  Although  Ogier  was  then  a  hundred  years 
old,  he  no  sooner  put  it  on  than  he  became  young  once  more. 
Then,  having  donned  the  golden  crown  of  oblivion,  he  forgot  his 
home,  and  joined  Arthur,  Oberon,  Tristan,  and  Lancelot,  with 
whom  he  spent  two  hundred  years  in  unchanged  youth,  enjoying 
constant  jousting  and  fighting. 

At  the  end  of  that  time,  his  crown  having  accidentally  dropped 
off,  Ogier  remembered  the  past,  and  returned  to  France,  riding 
on  Papillon.  He  reached  the  court  during  the  reign  of  one  of 
the  Capetian  kings.  He  was,  of  course,  greatly  amazed  at  the 
changes  which  had  taken  place,  but  bravely  helped  to  defend  Paris 
against  an  invasion  from  the  Normans. 

Shortly  after  this,  his  magic  ring  was  playfully  drawn  from  his 
finger  and  put  upon  her  own  by  the  Countess  of  Senlis,  who,  see- 
Ogier  carried  to  ii^g  that  it  restored  her  vanished  youth,  would  fain 
Avaion.  have  kept  it  always.  She  therefore  sent  thirty  cham- 
pions to  wrest  it  from  Ogier,  who,  however,  defeated  them  all, 
and  triumi)hantly  retained  his  ring.  The  king  having  died,  Ogier 
next  married  the  widowed  queen,  and  would  thus  have  become 
King  of  France  had  not  Morgana  the  fay,  jealous  of  his  affec- 
tions, spirited  him  away  in  the  midst  of  the  marriage  ceremony 


ClIARLExMAGXl-:  A.\l)   HIS  l\lLADh\'S.  139 

and  borne  him  off  to  the  Isle  of  Avalon,  whence  he,  Hke  Arthur, 
will  return  only  when  his  country  needs  him. 

Another  chanson  de  geste,  a  sort  of  continuation  of  "  Ogier  le 
Danois,"  is  called  "  Meurvin,"  and  purports  to  give  a  faithful  ac- 
count of  the  adventures  of  a  son  of  Ogier  and  Mor-  Roiand  and 
gana,  an  ancestor  of  Godfrey  of  Bouillon,  King  Oliver, 
of  Jerusalem.  In  "  Guerin  de  Montglave,"  we  find  that  Charle- 
magne, having  (juarreled  with  the  Duke  of  Genoa,  proposed  that 
each  should  send  a  champion  to  fight  in  his  name.  Charlemagne 
selected  Roland,  while  the  Duke  of  Genoa  chose  Oliver  as  his 
defender.  The  battle,  if  we  are  to  believe  some  versions  of  the 
legend,  took  place  on  an  island  in  the  Rhone,  and  Durandana, 
Roland's  sword,  struck  many  a  spark  from  Altecler  (Hautecler), 
the  blade  of  Oliver.  The  two  champions  were  so  well  matched, 
and  the  blows  were  dealt  with  such  equal  strength  and  courage, 
that  "giving  a  Roland  for  an  Oliver"  has  become  a  proverbial 
expression. 

After  fighting  all  day,  with  intermissions  to  interchange  boasts 
and  taunts,  and  to  indulge  in  sundry  discussions,  neither  had  gained 
any  advantage.  They  would  probably  have  continued  the  strug- 
gle indefinitely,  however,  had  not  an  angel  of  the  Lord  interfered, 
and  bidden  them  embrace  and  become  fast  friends.  It  was  on 
this  occasion,  we  are  told,  that  Charlemagne,  fearing  for  Roland 
when  he  saw  the  strength  of  Oliver,  vowed  a  pilgrimage  to  Jeru- 
salem .should  his  nephew  escape  alive. 

The  fulfillment  of  this  vow  is  described  in  "  Galyen  Rhctore." 
Charlemagne  and  his  peers  reached  Jerusalem  safely  in  disguise, 
but  their  anxiety  to  secure  relics  soon  betrayed  their  Charlemagne's 
identity.     The  King  of  Jerusalem,  Hugues,  enter-     pilgrimage  to 

■^  o  -■  <-'  Jerusalem. 

tained  them  sumptuously,  and,  hoping  to  hear  many 
praises  of  his  hospitality,  concealed  himself  in  their  apartment  at 
night.  The  eavesdropper,  however,  only  heard  the  vain  talk  of 
Charlemagne's  peers,  who,  unable  to  sleep,  beguiled  the  hours  in 
making  extraordinary  boasts.  Roland  declared  that  he  could 
blow  his  horn  Olivant  loud  enough  to  bring  down  the  palace ; 


140  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDlJi   AGES. 

Ogier,  that  he  could  crumble  the  principal  pillar  to  dust  in  his 
grasp ;  and  Oliver,  that  he  could  marry  tlie  princess  in  spite  of 
her  father. 

The  king,  angry  at  hearing  no  praises  of  his  wealth  and  hospi- 
tality, insisted  upon  his  guests  fulfilling  their  boasts  on  the  mor- 
row, under  penalty  of  death.  He  was  satisfied,  however,  by  the 
success  of  Ohver's  undertaking,  and  the  peers  returned  to  France. 
Galyen,  Oliver's  son  by  Hugues's  daughter,  followed  them  thither 
when  he  reached  manhood,  and  joined  his  father  in  the  valley 
of  Roncesvalles,  just  in  time  to  receive  his  blessing  ere  he  died. 
Then,  having  helped  Charlemagne  to  avenge  his  peers,  Galyen 
returned  to  Jerusalem,  where  he  found  his  grandfather  dead  and 
his  mother  a  captive.  His  first  act  was,  of  course,  to  free  his 
mother,  after  which  he  became  king  of  Jerusalem,  and  his  adven- 
tures came  to  an  end. 

The  "  Chronicle  "  of  Turpin,  whence  the  materials  for  many  of 
the  poems  about  Roland  were  taken,  declares  that  Charlemagne, 
having  conquered  nearly  the  whole  of  Europe,  retired  to  his  pal- 
ace to  seek  repose.  But  one  evening,  while  gazing  at  the  stars,  he 
saw  a  bright  cluster  move  from  the  "  Friesian  sea,  by  way  of  Ger- 
many and  France,  into  Galicia."  This  prodigy,  twice  repeated, 
greatly  excited  Charlemagne's  wonder,  and  w^as  explained  to  him 
by  St.  James  in  a  vision.  The  latter  declared  that  the  progress 
of  the  stars  was  emblematic  of  the  advance  of  the  Christian  army 
towards  Spain,  and  twice  bade  the  emperor  deliver  his  land  from 
the  hands  of  the  Saracens. 

Thus  admonished,  Charlemagne  set  out  for  Spain  with  a  large 
army,  and  invested  the  city  of  Pamplona,  which  showed  no  signs 
Charlemagne  in  of  Surrender  at  the  end  of  a  two  months'  siege. 
Spain.  Recourse  to  prayer  on  the  Christians'  part,  how- 

ever, produced  a  great  miracle,  for  the  walls  tottered  and  fell  like 
those  of  Jericho.  All  the  Saracens  who  embraced  Christianity 
were  spared,  but  the  remainder  were  slain  before  the  emperor 
journeyed  to  the  shrine  of  St.  James  at  Santiago  de  Compostela 
to  pay  his  devotions. 


CIIARLKMAGNE   AND   II IS  PALADINS.  141 

A  triumphant  marcli  through  the  country  then  ensued,  and 
Charlemagne  returned  to  France,  thinking  the  Saracens  subdued. 
He  had  scarcely  crossed  the  border,  however,  when  Aigolandus, 
one  of  the  pagan  monarchs,  revolted,  and  soon  recovered  nearly 
all  the  territory  his  people  had  lost.  When  Charlemagne  heard 
these  tidings,  he  sent  back  an  army,  commanded  by  Milon,  Ro- 
land's father,  who  perished  gloriously  in  this  campaign.  The  em- 
peror speedily  followed  his  brother-in-law  with  great  forces,  and 
again  besieged  Aigolandus  in  Pamplona.  During  the  course  of 
the  siege  the  two  rulers  had  an  interview,  which  is  described  at 
length,  and  indulged  in  sundry  religious  discussions,  which,  how- 
ever, culminated  in  a  resumption  of  hostilities.  Several  combats 
now  took  place,  in  which  the  various  heroes  greatly  distinguished 
themselves,  the  preference  being  generally  given  to  Roland,  who, 
if  we  are  to  believe  the  Itahan  poet,  was  as  terrible  in  battle  as 
he  was  gentle  in  time  of  peace. 

"  On  stubborn  foes  he  vengeance  wreak'd, 

And  laid  about  him  like  a  Tartar; 
But  if  for  mercy  once  they  squeak'd, 

He  was  the  first  to  grant  them  quarter. 
The  battle  won,  of  Roland's  soul 

Each  milder  virtue  took  possession  ; 
To  vanquish'd  foes  he  o'er  a  bowl 

His  heart  surrender'd  at  discretion." 

Ariosto,  07-lando  Fiirwso  {Dr.  Burney's  tr.). 

Aigolandus  being  slain,  and  the  feud  against  him  thus  success- 
fully ended,  Charlemagne  carried  the  war  into  Navarre,  where  he 
was  challenged  by  the  giant  Ferracute  (Ferragus)  to  meet  him  in 
single  combat.  Although  the  metrical  "  Romances  "  describe  Char- 
lemagne as  twenty  feet  in  height,  and  declare  that  he  slept  in  a 
hall,  his  bed  surrounded  by  one  hundred  lighted  tapers  and  one 
hundred  knights  with  drawn  swords,  the  emperor  felt  himself  no 
match  for  the  giant,  whose  personal  appearance  was  as  follows :  — 

"  So  hard  he  was  to-fond  [proved], 
That  no  dint  of  brond 


14^  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE   AGES. 

No  grieved  him,  I  plight. 

He  had  twenty  men's  strength; 

And  forty  feet  of  length 

Thiike  [each]  paynim  had ; 

And  four  feet  in  the  face 

Y-meten  [measured]  on  the  place  ; 

And  fifteen  in  brede  [breadth]. 

His  nose  was  a  foot  and  more  ; 

His  brow  as  bristles  wore  ; 

(He  that  saw  it  said) 

He  looked  lothliche  [loathly], 

And  was  swart  [black]  as  pitch  ; 

Of  him  men  might  adrede  !  " 

Roland  and  Ferragus. 

After  convincing  himself  of  the  danger  of  meeting  this  adver- 
sary, Charlemagne  sent  Ogier  the  Dane  to  fight  him,  and  with 

Roland  and      dismay  saw  his  champion  not  only  unhorsed,  but 

Ferracute.  bomc  away  hke  a  parcel  under  the  giant's  arm,  fum- 
ing and  kicking  with  impotent  rage.  Renaud  de  Montauban  met 
Ferracute  on  the  next  day,  with  the  same  fate,  as  did  several  other 
champions.  Finally  Roland  took  the  field,  and  although  the  giant 
pulled  him  down  from  his  horse,  he  continued  the  battle  all  day. 
Seeing  that  his  sword  Durandana  had  no  effect  upon  Ferracute, 
Roland  armed  himself  with  a  club  on  the  morrow. 

In  the  pauses  of  the  battle  the  combatants  talked  together,  and 
Ferracute,  relying  upon  his  adversary's  keen  sense  of  honor,  even 
laid  his  head  upon  Roland's  knee  during  their  noonday  rest. 
While  resting  thus,  he  revealed  that  he  was  vulnerable  in  only 
one  point  of  his  body.  When  called  upon  by  Roland  to  believe 
in  Christianity,  he  declared  that  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  was 
more  than  he  could  accept.  Roland,  in  answer,  demonstrated 
that  an  almond  is  but  one  fruit,  although  composed  of  rind,  shell, 
and  kernel;  that  a  harp  is  but  one  instrument,  although  it  con- 
sists of  wood,  strings,  and  harmony.  He  also  urged  the  three- 
fold nature  of  the  sun,  — i.e.,  heat,  light,  and  splendor;  and  these 
arguments  having  satisfied  Ferracute  concerning  the  Trinity,  he 


CHARLEMAGNE  AND   JUS   PALADINS.  143 

removed  his  doubts  concerning  the  incarnation  by  equally  forci- 
ble reasoning.  The  giant,  however,  utterly  refused  to  believe  in 
the  resurrection,  although  Roland,  in  support  of  his  creed,  quoted 
the  mediaeval  belief  that  a  hon's  cubs  are  born  into  the  world 
dead,  but  come  to  life  on  the  third  day  at  the  sound  of  their 
father's  roar,  or  under  the  warm  breath  of  their  mother.  As  Fer- 
racute  would  not  accept  this  doctrine,  but  sprang  to  his  feet  pro- 
posing a  continuation  of  the  fight,  the  struggle  was  renewed. 

"  Quath  Fcrragus  :    '  Now  ich  wot 
Your  Christian  law  every  grot ; 
Now  we  will  fight ; 
Whether  law  better  be, 
Soon  we  shall  y-see, 
Long  ere  it  be  night.'  " 

Rolajui  and  Ferragus. 

Roland,  weary  with  his  previous  efforts,  almost  succumbed  be- 
neath the  giant's  blows,  and  in  his  distress  had  recourse  to  prayer. 
He  was  immediately  strengthened  and  comforted  by  an  angelic 
vision  and  a  promise  of  victory.  Thus  encouraged,  he  dealt  Fer- 
racute  a  deadly  blow  in  the  vulnerable  spot.  The  giant  fell,  call- 
ing upon  Mohammed,  while  Roland  laughed  and  the  Christians 
triumphed. 

The  poem  of  Sir  Otuel,  in  the  Auchinleck  manuscript,  describes 
how  Otuel,  a  nephew  of  Ferracute,  his  equal  in  size  and  strength, 
came  to  avenge  his  death,  and,  after  a  long  battle  with  Roland, 
yielded  to  his  theological  arguments,  and  was  converted  at  the 
sight  of  a  snowy  dove  alighting  on  Charlemagne's  helmet  in  an- 
swer to  prayer.  He  then  became  a  devoted  adherent  of  Charle- 
magne, and  served  him  much  in  war. 

Charlemagne,  having  won  Navarre,  carried  the  war  to  the 
south  of  Spain,  where  the  Saracens  frightened  the  horses  of  his 
host  by  beating  drums  and  waving  banners.  Having  suffered 
a  partial  defeat  on  account  of  this  device,  Charlemagne  had  the 
horses'  ears  stopped  with  wax,  and  their  eyes  blindfolded,  before  he 
resumed  the  battle.     Thanks  to  this  precaution,  he  succeeded  in 


144        LEGENDS   OF    THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

conquering  the  Saracen  army.  I'he  whole  country  had  now  been 
again  subdued,  and  Charlemagne  was  preparing  to  return  to 
France,  when  he  remembered  that  Marsiglio  (Marsihus),  a  Sara- 
cen king,  was  still  intrenched  at  Saragossa. 

"Carle,  our  most  noble  Emperor  and  King, 
Hath  tarried  now  full  seven  years  in  Spain, 
Conqu'ring  the  highland  regions  to  the  sea; 
No  fortress  stands  before  him  unsubdued, 
Nor  wall,  nor  city  left,  to  be  destroyed, 
Save  Sarraguce,  high  on  a  mountain  set. 
There  rules  the  King  Marsile,  who  loves  not  God, 
Apollo  worships,  and  Mohammed  serves ; 
Nor  can  he  from  his  evil  doom  escape." 

Clinnson  de  /?<?/rtH^  (Rabillon's  tr.). 

The  emperor  wished  to  send  an  embassy  to  him  to  arrange  the 
terms  of  peace,  but  di.scarded  Roland's  offer  of  service  because 
Battle  of  of  his  impetuosity.  Then,  following  the  advice  of 
^°P5£SialISs.  Naismes  de  Baviere,  "the  Nestor  of  the  Carolingian 
legends,"  he  selected  Ganelon,  Roland's  stepfather,  as  ambassa- 
dor. This  man  was  a  traitor,  and  accepted  a  bribe  from  the  Sara- 
cen king  to  betray  Roland  and  the  rear  guard  of  the  French  army 
into  his  power.  Advised  by  Ganelon,  Charlemagne  departed  from 
Spain  at  the  head  of  his  army,  leaving  Roland  to  bring  up  the 
rear.  The  main  part  of  the  army  passed  through  the  Pyrenees 
unmolested,  but  the  rear  guard  of  twenty  thousand  men,  under 
Roland,  was  attacked  by  a  superior  force  of  Saracens  in  ambush, 
as  it  was  passing  through  the  defiles  of  Roncesvalles.  A  terrible 
encounter  took  place  here. 

"  The  Count  Rolland  rides  through  the  battlefield 
And  makes,  with  Durendal's  keen  blade  in  hand, 
A  mighty  carnage  of  the  Saracens. 
Ah  !  had  you  then  beheld  the  valiant  Knight 
Heap  corse  on  corse  ;  blood  drenching  all  the  ground  ; 
His  own  arms,  hauberk,  all  besmeared  with  gore, 
And  his  good  steed  from  neck  to  shoulder  bleed  !  " 

Chanson  de  AV/rtw^/ (Rabillon's  tr. ). 


THE    DEATH    OF    ROLAND.  -  Keller. 


1,0pp. p.  ua.i 


CHARLEMAGNE  AND  HIS  PALADINS.  145 

All  the  Christians  were  slain  except  Roland  and  a  few  knights, 
who  succeeded  in  repulsing  the  first  onslaught  of  the  painims. 
Roland  then  bound  a  Saracen  caiJtive  to  a  tree,  wrung  from  him 
a  confession  of  the  dastardly  plot,  and,  discovering  where  Marsig- 
lio  was  to  be  found,  rushed  into  the  very  midst  of  the  Saracen 
army  and  slew  him.  The  Saracens,  terrified  at  the  apparition  of 
the  hero,  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  little  suspecting  that  their  foe  had 
received  a  mortal  wound,  and  would  shortly  breathe  his  last. 

During  the  first  part  of  the  battle,  Roland,  yielding  to  Ohver's 
entreaty,  sounded  a  blast  on  his  horn  Olivant,  which  came  even 
to  Charlemagne's  ear.  Fearing  lest  his  nephew  was  calUng  for 
aid,  Charlemagne  would  fain  have  gone  back  had  he  not  been 
deterred  by  Ganelon,  who  assured  him  that  Roland  was  merely 
pursuing  a  stag. 

"Rolland  raised  to  his  lips  the  olifant. 
Drew  a  deep  breath,  and  blew  with  all  his  force. 
High  are  the  mountains,  and  from  peak  to  peak 
The  sound  reechoes ;  thirty  leagues  away 
'Twas  heard  by  Carle  and  all  his  brave  compeers. 
Cried  the  king :    '  Our  men  make  battle  ! '  Ganelon 
Retorts  in  haste  :    '  If  thus  another  dared 
To  speak,  we  should  denounce  it  as  a  lie.' 

Aoi." 

Chanson  de  Roland  (Rabillon's  tr.). 

Wounded  and  faint,  Roland  now  slowly  dragged  himself  to  the 
entrance  of  the  pass  of  Cisaire,— where  the  Basque  peasants  aver 
they  have  often  seen  his  ghost,  and  heard  the  sound  steed 

of  his  horn,— and  took  leave  of  his  faithful  steed  veiuantif slain. 
Veillantif,  which  he  slew  with  his  own  hand,  to  prevent  its  falling 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

"  *  Ah,  nevermore,  and  nevermore,  shall  we  to  battle  ride  ! 
Ah,  nevermore,  and  nevermore,  shall  we  sweet  comrades  be ! 
And  Veillintif,  had  I  the  heart  to  die  forgetting  thee? 
To  leave  thy  mighty  heart  to  break,  in  slavery  to  the  foe  ? 

lO 


146  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

I  had  not  rested  in  the  grave,  if  it  had  ended  so. 

Ah,  never  shall  we  conquering  ride,  with  banners  bright  unfurl'd, 

A  shining  light  'mong  lesser  lights,  a  wonder  to  the  world.' " 

Buchanan,  Death  of  Roland. 

Then  the  hero  gazed  upon  his  sword  Durandana,  which  had 

served  him  faithfully  for  so  many  years,  and  to  prevent  its  falling 

into  the  hands  of  the  pagans,  he  tried  to  dispose  of 

Durandana      it  also.     According  to  varying  accounts,  he  either 

destroyed.      ^^^^j^  jj.  (jggp  jj^jq  ^  poisoned  Stream,  where  it  is  still 

supposed  to  lie,  or,  striking  it  against  the  mighty  rocks,  cleft  them 
in  two,  without  even  dinting  its  bright  blade. 

"  And  Roland  thought :    '  I  surely  die  ;  but,  ere  I  end. 
Let  me  be  sure  that  thou  art  ended  too,  my  friend ! 
For  should  a  heathen  hand  grasp  thee  when  I  am  clay, 
My  ghost  would  grieve  full  sore  until  the  judgment  day  ! ' 
Then  to  the  marble  steps,  under  the  tall,  bare  trees, 
Trailing  the  mighty  sword,  he  crawl'd  on  hands  and  knees, 
And  on  the  slimy  stone  he  struck  the  blade  with  might  — 
The  bright  hilt,  sounding,  shook,  the  blade  flash'd  sparks  of  light ; 
Wildly  again  he  struck,  and  his  sick  head  went  round, 
Again  there  sparkled  fire,  again  rang  hollow  sound ; 
Ten  times  he  struck,  and  threw  strange  echoes  down  the  glade. 
Yet  still  unbroken,  sparkling  fire,  glitter'd  the  peerless  blade." 

Buchanan,  Death  0/ Roland. 

Finally,  despairing  of  disposing  of  it  in  any  other  way,  the  hero, 
strong  in  death,  broke  Durandana  in  his  powerful  hands  and  threw 
the  shards  away. 

Horse  and  sword  were  now  disposed  of,  and  the  dying  hero, 
summoning  his  last  strength,  again  put  his  marvelous  horn  Ohvant 
to  his  lips,  and  blew  such  a  resounding  blast  that  the  sound  was 
heard  far  and  near.  The  effort,  however,  was  such  that  his  tem- 
ples burst,  as  he  again  sank  fainting  to  the  ground. 

One  version  of  the  story  (Turpin's)  relates  that  the  blast  brought, 
not  Charlemagne,  but  the  sole  surviving  knight,  Theodoricus,  who, 
as  Roland  had  been  shriven  before  the  battle,  merely  heard  his 


CHARLEMAGNE  AND  HIS  PALADINS.  147 

last  prayer  and  reverently  closed  his  eyes.  Then  Turpin,  while 
celebrating  mass  before  Charlemagne,  was  suddenly  favored  by  a 
vision,  in  which  he  beheld  a  shrieking  crew  of  demons  bearing 
Marsiglio's  soul  to  hell,  while  an  angelic  host  conveyed  Roland's 
to  heaven. 

Turpin  immediately  imparted  these  revelations  to  Charlemagne, 
who,  knowing  now  that  his  fears  were  not  without  foundation, 
hastened  back  to  Roncesvalles.  Here  the  scriptural  miracle  was 
repeated,  for  the  sun  stayed  its  course  until  the  emperor  had 
routed  the  Saracens  and  found  the  body  of  his  nephew.  He 
pronounced  a  learned  funeral  discourse  or  lament  over  the  hero's 
remains,  which  were  then  embalmed  and  conveyed  to  Blaive  for 
interment. 

Another  version  relates  that  Bishop  Turpin  himself  remained 
with  Roland  in  the  rear,  and,  after  hearing  a  general  confession 
and  granting  full  absolution  to  all  the  heroes,  fought  beside  them 
to  the  end.  It  was  he  who  heard  the  last  blast  of  Roland's  horn 
instead  of  Theodoricus,  and  came  to  close  his  eyes  before  he  too 
expired. 

The  most  celebrated  of  all  the  poems,  however,  the  French 
epic  "  Chanson  de  Roland,"  gives  a  different  version  and  relates 
that,  in  stumbling  over  the  battlefield,  Roland  came  across  the 
body  of  his  friend  Oliver,  over  which  he  uttered  a  touching 
lament. 

"  *  Alas  for  all  thy  valor,  comrade  dear  ! 
Year  after  year,  day  after  day,  a  life 
Of  love  we  led;   ne'er  didst  thou  wrong  to  me, 
Nor  I  to  thee.     If  death  takes  thee  away, 
My  life  is  but  a  pain.' " 

Chanson  de  Rolajui  (Rabillon's  tr.). 

Slowly  and  painfully  now— for  his  death  was  near— Roland 
climbed  up  a  slope,  laid  himself  down  under  a  pine  tree,  and 
placed  his  sword  and  horn  beneath  him.     Then,  Death 

when  he  had  breathed  a  last  prayer,  to  commit  his       °^  Roland, 
soul  to  God,  he  held   up  his  glove  in  token  of  his  surrender. 


148  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

"  His  right  hand  glove  he  ofifered  up  to  God ; 

Saint  Gabriel  took  the  glove.  —  With  head  reclined 

Upon  his  arm,  with  hands  devoutly  joined, 

He  breathed  his  last.     God  sent  his  Cherubim, 

Saint  Raphael,  Saint  Michiel  del  Peril. 

Together  with  them  Gabriel  came.  —  All  bring 

The  soul  of  Count  Rolland  to  Paradise. 

Aoi." 

Chanson  de  Roland  (Rabillon's  tr.). 

It  was  here,  under  the  pine,  that  Charlemagne  found  his 
nephew  ere  he  started  out  to  punish  the  Saracens,  as  already  re- 
lated. Not  far  off  lay  the  bodies  of  Ogier,  Oliver,  and  Renaud, 
who,  according  to  this  version,  were  all  among  the  slain. 

"  Here  endeth  Otuel,  Roland,  and  Olyvere, 
And  of  the  twelve  dussypere, 
That  dieden  in  the  batayle  of  Runcyvale : 
Jesu  lord,  heaven  king, 
To  his  bliss  hem  and  us  both  bring, 
To  liven  withouten  bale  ! " 

Sir  Otuel. 

On  his  return  to  France  Charlemagne  suspected  Ganelon  of 
treachery,  and  had  him  tried  by  twelve  peers,  who,  unable  to  decide 
the  question,  bade  him  prove  his  innocence  in  single  combat  with 
Roland's  squire,  Thiedric.  Ganelon,  taking  advantage  of  the 
usual  privilege  to  have  his  cause  defended  by  a  champion, 
selected  Pinabel,  the  most  famous  swordsman  of  the  time.  In 
spite  of  all  his  valor,  however,  this  champion  was  defeated,  and 
the  "judgment  of  God" — the  term  generally  applied  to  those 
judicial  combats — was  in  favor  of  Thiedric.  Ganelon,  thus  con- 
victed of  treason,  was  sentenced  to  be  drawn  and  quartered,  and 
was  executed  at  Aix-la-Chapelle,  in  punishment  for  his  sins. 

"  Ere  long  for  this  he  lost 

Both  limb  and  life,  judged  and  condemned  at  Aix, 

There  to  be  hanged  with  thirty  of  his  race 

Who  were  not  spared  the  punishment  of  death. 

Aoi." 

Chanson  de  Roland  (Rabillon's  tr.). 


CHARLEMAGNE  AND   HIS  PALADINS.  149 

Roland,  having  seen  Aude,  Oliver's  sister,  at  the  siege  of  Viane, 
')  where  she  even  fought  against  him,  if  the  old  epics  are  to  be  be- 
lieved, had  been  so  smitten  with  her  charms  that  he  Roland 
declared  that  he  would  marry  none  but  her.  When  ^^^  Aude. 
the  siege  was  over,  and  lifelong  friendship  had  been  sworn  be- 
tween Roland  and  Oliver  after  their  memorable  duel  on  an  island 
in  the  Rhone,  Roland  was  publicly  betrothed  to  the  charming 
Aude.  Before  their  nuptials  could  take  place,  however,  he  was 
forced  to  leave  for  Spain,  where,  as  we  have  seen,  he  died  an  heroic 
death.  The  sad  news  of  his  demise  was  brought  to  Paris,  where 
the  Lady  Aude  was  awaiting  him.  When  she  heard  that  he  would 
never  return,  she  died  of  grief,  and  was  buried  at  his  side  in  the 
chapel  of  Blaive. 

"In  Paris  Lady  Alda  sits,  Sir  Roland's  destined  bride. 
With  her  three  hundred  maidens,  to  tend  her,  at  her  side  ; 
Alike  their  robes  and  sandals  all,  and  the  braid  that  binds  their 

hair, 
And  alike  the  meal,  in  their  Lady's  hall,  the  whole  three  hundred 

share. 
Around  her,  in  her  chair  of  state,  they  all  their  places  hold  ; 
A  hundred  weave  the  web  of  silk,  and  a  hundred  spin  the  gold, 
And  a  hundred  touch  their  gentle  lutes  to  sooth  that  Lady's  pain. 
As  she  thinks  on  him  that's  far  away  with  the  host  of  Charlemagne. 
Lulled   by  the   sound,   she  sleeps,  but    soon  she  wakens  with   a 

scream ; 
And,  as  her  maidens  gather  round,  she  thus  recounts  her  dream  : 
'  I  sat  upon  a  desert  shore,  and  from  the  mountain  nigh, 
Right  toward  me,  I  seemed  to  see  a  gentle  falcon  fly ; 
But  close  behind  an  eagle  swooped,  and  struck  that  falcon  down. 
And  with  talons  and  beak  he  rent  the  bird,  as  he  cowered  beneath 

my  gown.' 
The  chief  of  her  maidens  smiled,  and  said :   '  To  me  it  doth  not 

seem 
That  the  Lady  Alda  reads  aright  the  boding  of  her  dream. 
Thou  art  the  falcon,  and  thy  knight  is  the  eagle  in  his  pride. 
As  he  comes  in  triumph  from  the  war,  and  pounces  on  his  bride.' 
The  maiden  laughed,  but  Alda  sighed,  and  gravely  shook  her  head. 


150  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

'  Full  rich,'  quoth  she,  '  shall  thy  guerdon  be,  if  thou  the  truth  hast 

said.' 
'Tis  morn  ;  her  letters,  stained  with  blood,  the  truth  too  plainly  tell, 
How,  in  the  chase  of  Ronceval,  Sir  Roland  fought  and  fell." 

Lady  A  Idas  Dream  (Sir  Edmund  Head's  tr.). 

A  later  legend,  which  has  given  rise  to  sundry  poems,  connects 

the  name  of  Roland  with  one  of  the  most  beautiful  places  on  the 

Rhine.     Popular   tradition   avers   that  he  sought 

Legend  ^  ^ 

of  Roland  and  shelter  One  evening  in  the  castle  of  Drachenfels, 
Hiidegarde.  ^^\y^^^  he  fell  in  love  with  Hildegarde,  the  beautiful 
daughter  of  the  Lord  of  Drachenfels.  The  sudden  outbreak  of 
the  war  in  Spain  forced  him  to  bid  farewell  to  his  betrothed,  but 
he  promised  to  return  as  soon  as  possible  to  celebrate  their  wed- 
ding. During  the  campaign,  many  stories  of  his  courage  came 
to  Hildegarde's  ears,  and  finally,  after  a  long  silence,  she  heard 
that  Roland  had  perished  at  Roncesvalles. 

Broken-hearted,  the  fair  young  mourner  spent  her  days  in 
tears,  and  at  last  prevailed  upon  her  father  to  allow  her  to  enter 
the  convent  on  the  island  of  Nonnenworth,  in  the  middle  of  the 
river,  and  within  view  of  the  gigantic  crag  where  the  castle  ruins 
can  still  be  seen. 

"  The  castled  crag  of  Drachenfels 
Frowns  o'er  the  wide  and  winding  Rhine, 
Whose  breast  of  water  broadly  swells 
Between  the  banks  which  bear  the  vine. 
And  hills  all  rich  with  blossomed  trees, 
And  fields  which  promise  corn  and  wine. 
And  scattered  cities  crowning  these. 
Whose  fair  white  walls  along  them  shine." 

BvRON,  Childe  Harold. 

With  pallid  cheeks  and  tear-dimmed  eyes,  Hildegarde  now 
spent  her  life  either  in  her  tiny  cell  or  in  the  convent  chapel, 
praying  for  the  soul  of  her  beloved,  and  longing  that  death  might 
soon  come  to  set  her  free  to  join  him.  The  legend  relates,  how- 
ever, that  Roland  was  not  dead,  as  she  supposed,  but  had  merely 
been  sorely  wounded  at  Roncesvalles. 


CHARLEMAGNE  AND  HIS  PALADINS.  151 

When  sufficiently  recovered  to  travel,  Roland  painfully  made 
his  way  back  to  Drachenfels,  where  he  presented  himself  late  one 
evening,  eagerly  calling  for  Hildegarde.  A  few  moments  later  the 
joyful  light  left  his  eyes  forever,  for  he  learned  that  his  beloved 
had  taken  irrevocable  vows,  and  was  now  the  bride  of  Heaven. 

That  selfsame  day  Roland  left  the  castle  of  Drachenfels,  and 
riding  to'  an  eminence  overlooking  the  island  of  Nonnenworth,  he 
gazed  long  and  tearfully  at  a  Httle  light  twinkling  in  one  of  the 
convent  windows.  As  he  could  not  but  suppose  that  it  illumined 
Hildegarde's  cell  and  lonely  vigils,  he  watched  it  all  night,  and 
when  morning  came  he  recognized  his  beloved's  form  in  the  long 
procession  of  nuns  on  their  way  to  the  chapel. 

This  view  of  the  lady  he  loved  seemed  a  slight  consolation 
to  the  hero,  who  built  a  retreat  on  this  rock,  which  is  known 
as  Rolandseck.     Here  he  spent  his  days  in  pen- 

^  •  1       J  Rolandseck. 

ance  and  prayer,  gazing  constantly  at  the  island  at 

his  feet,  and  the  swift  stream  which  parted  him  from  Hildegarde. 

One  wintry  day,  many  years  after  he  had  taken  up  his  abode 
on  the  rocky  height,  Roland  missed  the  graceful  form  he  loved, 
and  heard,  instead  of  the  usual  psalm,  a  dirge  for  the  dead. 
Then  he  noticed  that  six  of  the  nuns  were  carrying  a  coffin, 
which  they  lowered  into  an  open  tomb. 

Roland's  nameless  fears  were  confirmed  in  the  evening,  when 
the  convent  priest  visited  him,  and  gently  announced  that  Hilde- 
garde was  at  rest.  Calmly  Roland  listened  to  these  tidings, 
begged  the  priest  to  hear  his  confession  as  usual,  and,  when  he 
had  received  absolution,  expressed  a  desire  to  be  buried  with  his 
face  turned  toward  the  convent  where  Hildegarde  had  Hved 
and  died. 

The  priest  readily  promised  to  observe  this  request,  and  de- 
parted. ^^'hen  he  came  on  the  morrow,  he  found  Roland  dead. 
They  buried  him  reverently  on  the  very  spot  which  bears  his 
name,  with  his  face  turned  toward  Nonnenworth,  where  Hilde- 
garde lay  at  rest. 


CHAPTER    IX. 


THE    SONS    OF    AYMON. 


The  different  chansons  de  gestes  relating  to  Aymon  and  the 
necromancer  Malagigi  (Malagis),  probably  arose  from  popular 
ballads  commemorating  the  struggles  of  Charles  the  Bald  and  his 
feudatories.  These  ballads  are  of  course  as  old  as  the  events 
which  they  were  intended  to  record,  but  the  chansons  de  gestes 
based  upon  them,  and  entitled  "  Duolin  de  Mayence,"  "  Aymon, 
Son  of  Duolin  de  Mayence,"  "  Maugis,"  "  Rinaldo  de  Trebi- 
zonde,"  "The  Four  Sons  of  Aymon,"  and  "  Mabrian,"  are  of 
much  later  date,  and  were  particularly  admired  during  the  four- 
teenth and  fifteenth  centuries. 

One  of  the  most  famous  of  Charlemagne's  peers  was  doubtless 
the  noble  Aymon  of  Dordogne ;  and  when  the  war  against  the 
Avars  in  Hungary  had  been  successfully  closed,  owing  to  his 
bravery,  his  adherents  besought  the  king  to  bestow  upon  this 
knight  some  reward.  Charlemagne,  whom  many  of  these  later 
chansons  de  gestes  describe  as  mean  and  avaricious,  refused  to 
grant  any  reward,  declaring  that  were  he  to  add  still  further  to 
his  vassal's  already  extensive  territories,  Aymon  would  soon  be- 
come more  powerful  than  his  sovereign. 

This  imjust  refusal  displeased  Lord  Hug  of  Dordogne,  who 

had  pleaded  for  his  kinsman,  so  that  he  ventured  a  retort,  which 

-,,     .   .  so  incensed  the  king  that  he  slew  him  then  and 

\Var  between  '-' 

Aymon  and      there.    Aymon,  learning  of  the  death  of  Lord  Hug, 
Charlemagne.    .^j^^|  awarc  of  the  failure  of  his  last  embassy,  haugh- 
tily withdrew  to  his  own  estates,  whence  he  now  began  to  wage 
war  against  Charlemagne. 

153 


THE   SONS   OF  AYMON.  153 

Instead  of  open  battle,  however,  a  sort  of  guerrilla  warfare  was 
carried  on,  in  which,  thanks  to  his  marvelous  steed  Bayard,  which 
his  cousin  Malagigi,  the  necromancer,  had  brought  him  from  hell, 
Aymon  always  won  the  advantage.  At  the  end  of  several  years, 
however,  Charlemagne  collected  a  large  host,  and  came  to  lay 
siege  to  the  castle  where  Aymon  had  intrenched  himself  with  all 
his  adherents. 

During  that  siege,  Aymon  awoke  one  morning  to  find  that  his 
beloved  steed  had  vanished.  Malagigi,  hearing  him  bewail  his 
loss,  bade  him  be  of  good  cheer,  promising  to  loss  of  the 
restore  Bayard  ere  long,  although  he  would  be  '^"''^^  Bayard, 
obliged  to  go  to  Mount  Vulcanus,  the  mouth  of  hell,  to  get  him. 
Thus  comforted,  Aymon  ceased  to  mourn,  while  Malagigi  set  to 
work  to  fulfill  his  promise.  As  a  brisk  wind  was  blowing  from  the 
castle  towards  the  camp,  he  flung  upon  the  breeze  some  powdered 
hellebore,  which  caused  a  violent  sneezing  throughout  the  army. 
Then,  while  his  foes  were  wiping  their  streaming  eyes,  the  necro- 
mancer, who  had  learned  his  black  art  in  the  famous  school  of 
Toledo,  slipped  through  their  ranks  unseen,  and  journeyed  on  to 
Mount  Vulcanus,  where  he  encountered  his  Satanic  Majesty. 

His  first  act  was  to  offer  his  services  to  Satan,  who  accepted 
them  gladly,  bidding  him  watch  the  steed  Bayard,  which  he  had 
stolen  because  he  preferred  riding  a  horse  to  sitting  astride  a  storm 
cloud  as  usual.  The  necromancer  artfully  pretended  great  anx- 
iety to  serve  his  new  master,  but  having  discovered  just  where 
Bayard  was  to  be  found,  he  made  use  of  a  sedative  powder  to  lull 
Satan  to  sleep.  Then,  hastening  to  the  angry  steed,  Malagigi 
made  him  tractable  by  whispering  his  master's  name  in  his  ear ; 
and,  springing  on  his  back,  rode  swiftly  away. 

Satan  was  awakened  by  the  joyful  whinny  of  the  flying  steed, 
and  immediately  mounted  upon  a  storm  cloud  and  started  in 
pursuit,  hurling  a  red-hot  thunderbolt  at  Malagigi  to  check  his 
advance.  But  the  necromancer  muttered  a  magic  spell  and  held 
up  his  crucifix,  and  the  bolt  fell  .short ;  while  the  devil,  losing  his 
bnlnnce,  fell  to  the  earth,  and  thus  lamed  himself  permanently. 


154  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Count  Aymon,  in  the  mean  while,  had  been  obliged  to  flee 

from  his  besieged  castle,  mounted  upon  a  sorry  steed  instead  of 

his  fleet-footed  horse.     When  the  enemy  detected 

Bayard  .  .  ,  .         ,  .        , 

restored  by      his  flight,  they  set  out  m  pursuit,  trackm.g  hmi  by 

Maiagigi.  nieans  of  bloodhounds,  and  were  about  to  overtake 
and  slay  him  when  Maiagigi  suddenly  appeared  with  Bayard.  To 
bound  on  the  horse's  back,  draw  his  famous  sword  Flamberge, 
which  had  been  made  by  the  smith  Wieland,  and  charge  into 
the  midst  of  his  foes,  was  the  work  of  a  few  seconds.  The  result 
was  that  most  of  Aymon's  foes  bit  the  dust,  while  he  rode  away 
unharmed,  and  gathering  many  followers,  he  proceeded  to  win 
back  all  the  castles  and  fortresses  he  had  lost. 

Frightened  by  Aymon's  successes,  Charlemagne  finally  sent 
Roland,  his  nephew  and  favorite,  bidding  him  offer  a  rich  ransom 
to  atone  for  the  murder  of  Lord  Hug,  and  instructing  him  to  se- 
cure peace  at  any  price.  Aymon  at  first  refused  these  overtures, 
but  consented  at  last  to  cease  the  feud  upon  receipt  of  six  times 
Lord  Hug's  weight  in  gold,  and  the  hand  of  the  king's  sister,  Aya, 
whom  he  had  long  loved. 

These  demands  were  granted,  peace  was  concluded,  and 
Aymon,  having  married  Aya,  led  her  to  the  castle  of  Pierlepont, 
where  they  dwelt  most  happily  together,  and  became  the  parents 
of  four  brave  sons,  Renaud,  Alard,  Guiscard,  and  Richard.  In- 
activity, however,  was  not  enjoyable  to  an  inveterate  fighter  hke 
Aymon,  so  he  soon  left  home  to  journey  into  Spain,  where  the 
bitter  enmity  between  the  Christians  and  the  Moors  would  afford 
him  opportunity  to  fight  to  his  heart's  content. 

Years  now  passed  by,  during  which  Aymon  covered  himself 
with  glory  ;  for,  mounted  on  Bayard,  he  was  the  foremost  in  every 
battle,  and  always  struck  terror  into  the  hearts  of  his  foes  by  the 
mere  flash  of  his  blade  Flamberge.  Thus  he  fought  until  his  sons 
attained  manhood,  and  Aya  had  long  thought  him  dead,  when  a 
messenger  came  to  Pierlepont,  telling  them  that  Aymon  lay  ill 
in  the  Pyrenees,  and  wished  to  see  his  wife  and  his  children  once 
more, 


THE   SONS   OF  AYMOX.  155 

In  answer  to  these  summons  Aya  hastened  southward,  and 
found  her  husband  old  and  worn,  yet  not  so  changed  that  she 
could  not  recognize  him.  Aymon,  sick  as  he  was,  rejoiced  at  the 
sight  of  his  manly  sons.  He  gave  the  three  eldest  the  spoil  he 
had  won  during  those  many  years'  warfare,  and  promised  Renaud 
(Reinold)  his  horse  and  sword,  if  he  could  successfully  mount  and 
ride  the  former. 

Renaud,  who  was  a  skillful  horseman,  fancied  the  task  very 
easy,  and  was  somewhat  surprised  when  his  father's  steed  caught 
him  by  the  garments  with  his  teeth,  and  tumbled  Bayard  won 
him  into  the  manger.  Undismayed  by  one  failure,  ^y  Renaud. 
however,  Renaud  sprang  boldly  upon  Bayard  ;  and,  in  spite  of  all 
the  horse's  efforts,  kept  his  seat  so  well  that  his  father  formally 
gave  him  the  promised  mount  and  sword. 

When  restored  to  health  by  the  tender  nursing  of  his  loving 
wife,  Aymon  returned  home  with  his  family.  Then,  hearing  that 
Charlemagne  had  returned  from  his  coronation  journey  to  Rome, 
and  was  about  to  celebrate  the  majority  of  his  heir,  Aymon  went 
to  court  with  his  four  sons. 

During  the  tournament,  held  as  usual  on  such  festive  occa- 
sions, Renaud  unhorsed  every  opponent,  and  even  defeated  the 
prince.  This  roused  the  anger  of  Chariot,  or  Berthelot  as  he  is 
called  by  some  authorities,  and  made  him  vow  revenge.  He 
soon  discovered  that  Renaud  was  particularly  attached  to  his 
brother  Alard,  so  he  resolved  first  to  harm  the  latter.  Advised 
by  the  traitor  Ganelon,  Chariot  challenged  Alard  to  a  game  of 
chess,  and  insisted  that  the  stakes  should  be  the  players'  heads. 

This  proposal  was  very  distasteful  to  Alard,  for  he  knew  that  he 
would  never  dare  lay  any  claim  to  the  prince's  head  even  if  he 
won  the  game,  and  feared  to  lose  his  own  if  he  failed  to  win. 
Compelled  to  accept  the  challenge,  however,  Alard  began  the 
game,  and  played  so  well  that  he  won  five  times  in  succession. 
Then  Chariot,  angry  at  being  so  completely  checkmated,  sud- 
denly seized  the  board  and  struck  his  antagonist  such  a  cruel  blow 
that  the  blood  began  to  flow.     Alard,  curbing  his  Avrath,  simply 


156  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

withdrew  ;  and  it  was  only  when  Renaud  questioned  him  very 
closely  that  he  told  how  the  quarrel  had  occurred. 

Renaud  was  indignant  at  the  insult  offered  his  brother,  and 
went  to  the  emperor  with  his  complaint.  The  umpires  reluctantly 
testified  that  the  prince  had  forfeited  his  head,  so  Renaud  cut  it  off 
in  the  emperor's  presence,  and  effected  his  escape  with  his  father 
and  brothers  before  any  one  could  lay  hands  upon  them.  Closely 
pursued  by  the  imperial  troops,  Aymon  and  his  sons  were  soon 
brought  to  bay,  and  fought  so  bravely  that  they  slew  many  of 
their  assailants.  At  last,  seeing  that  all  their  horses  except  the 
incomparable  Bayard  had  been  slain,  Renaud  bade  his  brothers 
mount  behind  him,  and  they  dashed  away.  The  aged  Aymon 
had  already  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  emperor's  adviser,  Tur- 
pin,  who  solemnly  promised  that  no  harm  should  befall  him.  But 
in  spite  of  this  oath,  and  of  the  remonstrances  of  all  his  peers, 
Charlemagne  prepared  to  have  Aymon  publicly  hanged,  and  con- 
sented to  release  him  only  upon  condition  that  Aymon  would 
promise  to  deliver  his  sons  into  the  emperor's  hands,  were  it  ever 
in  his  power  to  do  so. 

The  four  young  men,  knowing  their  father  safe,  and  unwilling 
to  expose  their  mother  to  the  unpleasant  experiences  of  the  siege 
which  would  have  followed  had  they  remained  at  Pierlepont,  now 
journeyed  southward,  and  entered  the  service  of  Saforet,  King  of 
the  Moors.  With  him  they  won  many  victories  ;  but,  seeing  at  the 
end  of  three  years  that  this  monarch  had  no  intention  of  giving 
them  the  promised  reward,  they  slew  him,  and  offered  tlieir  swords 
to  I  wo,  Prince  of  Tarasconia. 

Afraid  of  these  warriors,  yet  wishing  to  bind  them  to  him  by 
indissoluble  ties,  Iwo  gave  Renaud  his  daughter  Clarissa  in  mar- 
Fortress  of  riage,  and  helped  him  l)uild  an  impregnable  for- 
Montauban.  ^ress  at  Montauban.  This  stronghold  was  scarcely 
finished  when  Charlemagne  came  up  Avith  a  great  army  to  besiege 
it;  but  at  the  end  of  a  year  of  fruitless  attempts,  the  emperor 
reluctantly  withdrew,  leaving  Montauban  still  in  the  hands  of  his 
enemies. 


THE   SONS  OF  AYMON.  157 

Seven  years  had  now  elapsed  since  the  four  young  men  had  seen 
their  mother ;  and,  anxious  to  embrace  her  once  more,  they  went 
in  pilgrims'  robes  to  the  castle  of  Pierlepont.  Here  the  chamber- 
lain recognized  them  and  betrayed  their  presence  to  Aymon,  who, 
compelled  by  his  oath,  prepared  to  bind  his  four  sons  fast  and 
take  them  captive  to  his  sovereign.  The  young  men,  however, 
defended  themselves  bravely,  secured  their  father  instead,  and 
sent  him  in  chains  to  Charlemagne.  Unfortunately  the  monarch 
was  much  nearer  Pierlepont  at  the  time  than  the  young  men  sup- 
posed. Hastening  onward,  he  entered  the  castle  before  they  had 
even  become  aware  of  his  approach,  and  secured  three  of  them. 
The  fourth,  Renaud,  aided  by  his  mother,  escaped  in  pilgrim's 
garb,  and  returned  to  Montauban.  Here  he  found  Bayard,  and 
without  pausing  to  rest,  he  rode  straight  to  Paris  to  deliver  his 
brothers  from  the  emperor's  hands. 

Overcome  by  fatigue  after  this  hasty  journey,  Renaud  dis- 
mounted shortly  before  reaching  Paris,  and  fell  asleep.  When 
he  awoke  he  found  that  his  steed  had  vanished,  and  he  reluctantly 
continued  his  journey  on  foot,  begging  his  way.  He  was  joined 
on  the  way  by  his  cousin  Malagigi,  who  also  wore  a  pilgrim's  garb, 
and  who  promised  to  aid  Renaud,  not  only  in  freeing  his  brothers, 
but  also  in  recovering  Bayard. 

Unnoticed,  the  beggars  threaded  their  way  through  the  city  of 
Paris  and  came  to  the  palace.  There  a  great  tournament  was  to 
be  held,  and  the  emperor  had  promised  to  the  victor  Maiagigi's 
of  the  day  the  famous  steed  Bayard.  To  stimulate  stratagem, 
the  knights  to  greater  efforts  by  a  view  of  the  promised  prize,  the 
emperor  bade  a  groom  lead  forth  the  renowned  steed.  The  horse 
seemed  restive,  but  suddenly  paused  beside  two  beggars,  with  a 
whinny  of  joy.  The  groom,  httle  suspecting  that  the  horse's  real 
master  was  hidden  under  the  travel-stained  pilgrim's  robe,  laugh- 
ingly commented  upon  Bayard's  bad  taste.  Then  Malagigi,  the 
second  beggar,  suddenly  cried  aloud  that  his  poor  companion  had 
been  told  that  he  would  recover  from  his  lameness  were  he  only 
once  allowed  to  bestride  the  famous  steed.    Anxious  to  witness  a 


158  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

miracle,  the  emperor  gave  orders  that  the  beggar  should  be  placed 
upon  Bayard  ;  and  Renaud,  after  feigning  to  fall  off  through  awk- 
wardness, suddenly  sat  firmly  upon  his  saddle,  and  dashed  away 
before  any  one  could  stop  him. 

As  for  Malagigi,  having  wandered  among  the  throng  unheeded, 
he  remained  in  Paris  until  evening.  Then,  making  his  way  into 
the  prison  by  means  of  the  necromantic  charm  "  Abracadabra," 
which  he  continually  repeated,  he  delivered  the  other  sons  of 
Aymon  from  their  chains.  He  next  entered  the  palace  of  the 
sleeping  emperor,  spoke  to  him  in  his  sleep,  and  forced  him,  under 
hypnotic  influence,  to  give  up  the  scepter  and  crown,  which  he 
triumphantly  bore  away. 

When  Charlemagne  awoke  on  the  morrow,  found  his  prisoners 
gone,  and  realized  that  what  had  seemed  a  dream  was  only  too 

Treachery  true,  and  that  the  insignia  of  royalty  were  gone, 
of  iwo.  }^e  -^^as  very  angry  indeed.  More  than  ever  before 
he  now  longed  to  secure  the  sons  of  Aymon ;  so  he  bribed  Iwo, 
with  whom  the  brothers  had  taken  refuge,  to  send  them  to  him. 
Clarissa  suspected  her  father's  treachery,  and  implored  Renaud 
not  to  believe  him  ;  but  the  brave  young  hero,  relying  upon  Iwo's 
promise,  set  out  without  arms  to  seek  the  emperor's  pardon.  On 
the  way,  however,  the  four  sons  of  Aymon  fell  into  an  ambuscade, 
whence  they  would  scarcely  have  escaped  alive  had  not  one  of 
the  brothers  drawn  from  under  his  robe  the  weapons  Clarissa  had 
given  him. 

The  emperor's  warriors,  afraid  of  the  valor  of  these  doughty 
brethren  now  that  they  were  armed,  soon  withdrew  to  a  safe 
distance,  whence  they  could  watch  the  young  men  and  prevent 
their  escape.  Suddenly,  however,  Malagigi  came  dashing  up  on 
Bayard,  for  Clarissa  had  warned  him  of  his  kinsmen's  danger,  and 
implored  him  to  go  to  their  rescue.  Renaud  immediately  mounted 
his  favorite  steed,  and  brandishing  Flamberge,  which  his  uncle 
had  brought  him,  he  charged  so  gallantly  into  the  very  midst  of 
the  imperial  troops  that  he  soon  put  them  to  flight. 

The   emperor,    bafl^ed    and    angry,   suspected   that   Iwo   had 


THE  SONS   OF  AYMON.  159 

warned  his  son-in-law  of  the  danger,  and  provided  him  with 
weapons.  In  his  wrath  he  had  Iwo  seized,  and  sentenced  him  to 
be  hanged.  But  Renaud,  seeing  Clarissa's  tears,  Renaud  and 
vowed  that  he  would  save  his  father-in-law  from  Roland, 
such  an  ignominious  death.  With  his  usual  bravery  he  charged 
into  the  \-ery  midst  of  the  executioners,  and  unhorsed  the  valiant 
champion,  Roland.  During  this  encounter,  Iwo  effected  his 
escape,  and  Renaud  followed  him,  while  Roland  slowly  picked 
himself  up  and  prepared  to  follow  his  antagonist  and  once  more 
try  his  strength  against  him. 

On  the  Avay  to  Montauban,  Roland  met  Richard,  one  of  the 
four  brothers,  whom  he  carried  captive  to  Charlemagne.  The 
emperor  immediately  ordered  the  young  knight  to  be  hanged,  and 
bade  some  of  his  most  noble  followers  to  see  the  sentence  ex- 
ecuted. They  one  and  all  refused,  however,  declaring  death  on 
the  gallows  too  ignominious  a  punishment  for  a  knight. 

The  discussions  which  ensued  delayed  the  execution  and  en- 
abled Malagigi  to  warn  Renaud  of  his  brother's  imminent  peril. 
Mounted  upon  Bayard,  Renaud  rode  straight  to  Montfaucon, 
accompanied  by  his  two  other  brothers  and  a  few  faithful  men. 
There  they  camped  under  the  gallows,  to  be  at  hand  when  the 
guard  came  to  hang  the  prisoner  on  the  morrow.  But  Renaud 
and  his  companions  slept  so  soundly  that  they  would  have  been 
surprised  had  not  the  intelligent  Bayard  awakened  his  master  by  a 
very  opportune  kick.  Springing  to  his  feet,  Renaud  roused  his  com- 
panions, vaulted  upon  his  steed,  and  charged  the  guard.  He  soon 
delivered  his  captive  brother  and  carried  him  off  in  triumph,  after 
hanging  the  knight  who  had  volunteered  to  act  as  executioner. 

Charlemagne,  still  anxious  to  seize  and  punish  these  refractory 
subjects,  now  collected  an  army  and  began  again  to  besiege  the 
stronghold  of  Montauban.     Occasional  sallies  and      .,    .    . 

'-'  Montauban 

a  few  bloody  encounters  were  the  only  variations      besieged  by 
in  the  monotony  of  a    several-years'   siege.     But    Charlemagne. 
finally  the  provisions  of  the  besieged  became  very  scanty.    Mala- 
gigi, who  knew  that  a  number  of  provision  wagons  were  expected, 


l6o  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

advised  Renaud  to  make  a  buld  sally  and  carry  them  off,  while 
he,  the  necromancer,  dulled  the  senses  of  the  imperial  army  by 
scattering  one  of  his  magic  sleeping  powders  in  the  air.  He  had 
just  begun  his  spell  when  Oliver  perceived  him  and,  pouncing 
upon  him,  carried  him  off  to  the  emperor's  tent.  Oliver,  on  the 
way  thither,  never  once  relinquished  his  grasp,  although  the  ma- 
gician tried  to  make  him  do  so  by  throwing  a  pinch  of  hellebore 
in  his  face. 

While  sneezing  loudly  the  paladin  told  how  he  had  caught  the 
magician,  and  the  emperor  vowed  that  the  rascal  should  be  hanged 
on  the  very  next  day.  When  he  heard  this  decree,  Malagigi  im- 
plored the  emperor  to  give  him  a  good  meal,  since  this  was  to  be 
his  last  night  on  earth,  pledging  his  word  not  to  leave  the  camp 
without  the  emperor.  This  promise  so  reassured  Charlemagne 
that  he  ordered  a  sumptuous  repast,  charging  a  few  knights  to 
watch  Malagigi,  lest,  after  all,  he  should  effect  his  escape.  The 
meal  over,  the  necromancer  again  had  recourse  to  his  magic  art 
to  plunge  the  whole  camp  into  a  deep  sleep.  Then,  proceeding 
unmolested  to  the  imperial  tent,  he  bore  off  the  sleeping  emperor 
to  the  gates  of  Montauban,  which  flew  open  at  his  well-known 
voice. 

Charlemagne,  on  awaking,  was  as  surprised  as  dismayed  to  find 
himself  in  the  hands  of  his  foes,  who,  however,  when  they  saw 
his  uneasiness,  gallantly  gave  him  his  freedom  without  exacting 
any  pledge  or  ransom  in  retiu^n.  But  when  Malagigi  heard  of 
this  foolhardy  act  of  generosity,  he  burned  up  his  papers,  boxes, 
and  bags,  and,  when  asked  why  he  acted  thus,  replied  that  he  was 
about  to  leave  his  mad  young  kinsmen  to  their  own  devices,  and 
take  refuge  in  a  hermitage,  where  he  intended  to  spend  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  in  repenting  of  his  sins.  Soon  after  this  he 
disappeared,  and  Aymon's  sons,  escaping  secretly  from  Montau- 
ban just  before  it  was  forced  to  surrender,  took  refuge  in  a  castle 
they  owned  in  the  Ardennes. 

Here  the  emperor  pursued  them,  and  kept  up  the  siege  until 
Aya  sought  him,  imploring  him  to  forgive  her  sons  and  to  cease 


THE   SONS   OF  AYMOX.  l6l 

persecuting  them.  Charlemagne  yielded  at  last  to  her  entreaties, 
and  promised  to  grant  the  sons  of  Aymon  full  forgiveness  pro- 
vided the  demoniacal  steed  Bayard  were  given  over  to  him  to  be 
put  to  death.  Aya  hastened  to  Renaud  to  tell  him  this  joyful 
news,  but  when  he  declared  that  nothing  would  ever  induce  him 
to  give  up  his  faithful  steed,  she  besought  him  not  to  sacrifice  his 
brothers,  wife,  and  sons,  out  of  love  for  his  horse. 

Thus  adjured,  Renaud,  with  breaking  heart,  finally  consented. 
The  treaty  was  signed,  and  Bayard,  with  feet  heavily  weighted, 
was  led  to  the  middle  of  a  bridge  over  the  Seine,  Death  of 
where  the  emperor  had  decreed  that  he  should  be  Bayard, 
drowned.  At  a  given  signal  from  Charlemagne  the  noble  horse 
was  pushed  into  the  water ;  but,  in  spite  of  the  weights  on  his 
feet,  he  rose  to  the  surface  twice,  casting  an  agonized  glance  upon 
his  master,  who  had  been  forced  to  come  and  witness  his  death. 
Aya,  seeing  her  son's  grief,  drew  his  head  down  upon  her  motherly 
bosom,  and  when  Bayard  rose  once  more  and  missed  his  beloved 
master's  face  among  the  crowd,  he  sank  beneath  the  waves  with 
a  groan  of  despair,  and  never  rose  again. 

Renaud,  maddened  by  the  needless  cruelty  of  this  act,  now  tore 
up  the  treaty  and  flung  it  at  the  emperor's  feet.  He  then  broke 
his  sword  Flamberge  and  cast  it  into  the  Seine,  declaring  that 
he  would  never  wield  such  a  weapon  again,  and  returned  to  Mon- 
tauban  alone  and  on  foot.  There  he  bade  his  wife  and  children 
farewell,  after  committing  them  to  the  loyal  protection  of  Roland. 
He  then  set  out  for  the  Holy  Land,  where  he  fought  against  the 
infidels,  using  a  club  as  weapon,  so  as  not  to  break  his  vow.  This 
evidently  proved  no  less  effective  in  his  hands  than  the  noted 
Flamberge,  for  he  was  offered  the  crown  of  Jerusalem  in  reward 
for  his  services.  As  he  had  vowed  to  renounce  al!  the  pomps 
and  vanities  of  the  world,  Renaud  passed  the  crown  on  to  God- 
frey of  Bouillon.  Then,  returning  home,  he  found  that  Clarissa 
had  died,  after  having  been  persecuted  for  years  by  the  unwelcome 
attentions  of  many  suitors,  who  would  fain  have  persuaded  her 
that  her  husband  was  dead. 
II 


l62  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

According  to  one  version  of  the  story,  Renaud  died  in  a  her- 
mitage, in  the  odor  of  sanctity ;  but  if  we  are  to  believe  another, 

Death  of  he  journeyed  on  to  Cologne,  where  the  cathedral 
Renaud.  -was  being  built,  and  labored  at  it  night  and  day. 
Exasperated  by  his  constant  activity,  which  put  them  all  to  shame, 
his  fellow-laborers  slew  him  and  flung  his  body  into  the  Rhine. 
Strange  to  relate,  however,  his  body  was  not  carried  away  by  the 
strong  current,  but  lingered  near  the  city,  until  it  was  brought  to 
land  and  interred  by  some  pious  people. 

Many  miracles  having  taken  place  near  the  spot  where  he  was 
buried,  the  emperor  gave  orders  that  his  remains  should  be  con- 
veyed either  to  Aix-la-Chapelle  or  to  Paris.  The  body  was  there- 
fore laid  upon  a  cart,  which  moved  of  its  own  accord  to  Dort- 
mund, in  Westphalia,  where  it  stopped,  and  where  a  church  was 
erected  in  honor  of  Renaud  in  8ii.  Here  the  saintly  warrior's 
remains  were  duly  laid  to  rest,  and  the  church  in  Dortmund  still 
bears  his  name.  A  chapel  in  Cologne  is  also  dedicated  to  him, 
and  is  supposed  to  stand  on  the  very  spot  where  he  was  so 
treacherously  slain  after  his  long  and  brilliant  career. 


CHAPTER    X. 


HUON    OF    BORDEAUX. 


It  is  supposed  that  this  chanson  de  geste  was  first  composed  in 
the  thirteenth  century ;  but  the  version  which  has  come  down  to 
us  must  have  been  written  shortly  before  the  discovery  of  print- 
ing. Although  this  poem  was  deservedly  a  favorite  composition 
during  the  middle  ages,  no  manuscript  copy  of  it  now  exists. 
Such  was  the  admiration  that  it  excited  that  Lord  Berners  trans- 
lated it  into  English  under  Henry  VIII.  In  modern  times  it  has 
been  the  theme  of  Wieland's  finest  poem,  and  of  one  of  Weber's 
operas,  both  of  which  works  are  known  by  the  title  of  "  Oberon." 
It  is  from  this  work  that  Shakespeare  undoubtedly  drew  some  of 
the  principal  characters  for  his  "  Midsummer-Night's  Dream," 
where  Oberon,  king  of  the  fairies,  plays  no  unimportant  part. 

The  hero  of  this  poem,  Huon  of  Bordeaux,  and  his  brother 
Girard,  were  on  their  way  from  Guienne  to  Paris  to  do  homage 
to  Charlemagne  for  their  estates.  Chariot,  the  chariot  slain 
monarch's  eldest  son,  who  bears  a  very  unenvia-  ^^  Huon. 
ble  reputation  in  all  the  mediaeval  poems,  treacherously  waylaid 
the  brothers,  intending  to  put  them  both  to  death.  He  attacked 
them  separately ;  but,  after  slaying  Girard,  was  himself  slain  by 
Huon,  who,  quite  unconscious  of  the  illustrious  birth  of  his  assail- 
ant, calmly  proceeded  on  his  way. 

The  rumor  of  the  prince's  death  soon  followed  Huon  to  court, 
and  Charlemagne,  incensed,  vowed  that  he  would  never  pardon 
him  until  he  had  proved  his  loyalty  and  repentance  by  journeying 
to  Bagdad,  where  he  was  to  cut  off  the  head  of  the  great  bashaw, 

16; 


164  LEGENDS   OE   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

to  kiss  the  Sultan's  daughter,  and  whence  he  was  to  bring  back  a 
lock  of  that  mighty  potentate's  gray  beard  and  four  of  his  best 
teeth. 

"  '  Yet  hear  the  terms ;   hear  what  no  earthly  power 
Shall  ever  change  ! '     He  spoke,  and  wav'd  below 
His  scepter,  bent  in  anger  o'er  my  brow.  — 
'Yes,  thou  may'st  live ;  — but,  instant,  from  this  hour, 
Away  !  in  exile  rove  far  nations  o'er ; 
Thy  foot  accurs'd  shall  tread  this  soil  no  more, 
Till  thou,  in  due  obedience  to  my  will 
Shalt,  point  by  point,  the  word  I  speak  fulfill; 
Thou  diest,  if  this  unwrought  thou  touch  thy  native  shore. 

"  '  Go  hence  to  Bagdad ;  in  high  festal  day 
At  his  round  table,  when  the  caliph,  plac'd 
In  stately  pomp,  with  splendid  emirs  grac'd, 
Enjoys  the  banquet  rang'd  in  proud  array. 
Slay  him  who  lies  the  monarch's  left  beside, 
Dash  from  his  headless  trunk  the  purple  tide. 
Then  to  the  right  draw  near ;  with  courtly  grace 
The  beauteous  heiress  of  his  throne  embrace ; 
And  thrice  with  public  kiss  salute  her  as  thy  bride. 

"  'And  while  the  caliph,  at  the  monstrous  scene, 
Such  as  before  ne'er  shock'd  a  caliph's  eyes, 
Stares  at  thy  confidence  in  mute  surprise, 
Then,  as  the  Easterns  wont,  with  lowly  mien 
Fall  on  the  earth  before  his  golden  throne. 
And  gain  (a  trifle,  proof  of  love  alone) 
That  it  may  please  him,  gift  of  friend  to  friend. 
Four  of  his  grinders  at  my  bidding  send. 
And  of  his  beard  a  lock  with  silver  hair  o'ergrown." 

WiEi.AND,  Oberon  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

Huon  regretfully  left  his  native  land  to  begin  this  apparently 

hopeless  quest ;  and,  after  visiting  his  uncle,  the  Pope,  in  Rome, 

he  tried  to  secure  heavenly  assistance  by  a  i)ilgrim- 

Huon's  quest.  ■'  j       i.     'd 

age  to  the  holy  sepulcher.  Then  he  set  out  for 
Babylon,  or  Bagdad,  for,  with  the  usual  mediccval  scorn  for  geog- 
raphy, evinced  in  all  the  chansons  de  gestes,  these  are  considered 


Ch 


7, 

O 

X 


ilUON  OF  nORJ)EAUX.  165 

interchangeable  names  for  the  same  town.  As  the  hero  was 
journeying  towards  his  goal  by  way  of  the  Red  Sea,  it  will  not 
greatly  surprise  the  modern  reader  to  hear  that  he  lost  his  way  and 
came  to  a  pathless  forest.  Darkness  soon  overtook  him,  and 
Huon  was  blindly  stumbling  forward,  leading  his  weary  steed  by 
the  bridle,  when  he  perceived  a  light,  toward  which  he  directed 
his  way. 

"  Not  long  his  step  the  winding  way  pursued. 
When  on  his  wistful  gaze,  to  him  beseems. 
The  light  of  distant  fire  delightful  gleams. 
His  cheek  flash'd  crimson  as  the  flame  he  view'd. 
Half  wild  with  hope  and  fear,  he  rushed  to  find 
In  these  lone  woods  some  glimpse  of  human  kind, 
And,  ever  and  anon,  at  once  the  ray 
Flash'd  on  his  sight,  then  sunk  at  once  away, 
While  rose  and  fell  the  path  as  hill  and  valley  wind." 

WiELAND,  Oberon  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

Huon  at  last  reached  a  cave,  and  found  a  gigantic  old  man 
all  covered  with  hair,  which  was  his  sole  garment.  After  a  few 
moments'  fruitless  attempt  at  conversation  in  the 

,  TT  •  11  Sherasmin. 

language  of  the  country,  Huon  mipetuously  spoke 
a  few  words  in  his  mother  tongue.  Imagine  his  surprise  when 
the  uncouth  inhabitant  of  the  woods  answered  him  fluently,  and 
when  he  discovered,  after  a  few  rapid  questions,  that  the  man 
was  Sherasmin  (Gerasmes),  an  old  servant  of  his  father's  !  This 
old  man  had  escaped  from  the  hands  of  his  Saracen  captors, 
and  had  taken  refuge  in  these  woods,  where  he  had  already 
dwelt  many  years.  After  relating  his  adventures,  Huon  entreated 
Sherasmin  to  point  out  the  nearest  way  to  Bagdad,  and  learned 
with  surprise  that  there  were  two  roads,  one  very  long  and  com- 
paratively safe,  even  for  an  inexperienced  traveler,  and  the  other 
far  shorter,  but  leading  through  an  enchanted  forest,  where  count- 
less dangers  awaited  the  venturesome  traveler. 

The  young  knight  of  course  decided  to  travel  along  the  most 
perilous  way ;  and,  accompanied  by  Sherasmin,  who  offered  his 


1 66  LEGENDS   OF    77/ K   M/J)nLE   .WES. 

services  as  guide,  he  set  out  early  upon  the  morrow  to  continue 
his  quest.  On  the  fouith  day  of  their  journey  they  saw  a  Saracen 
strugghng  single-handed  against  a  band  of  Arabs,  whom  Huon 
soon  put  tQ  flight  with  a  few  well  directed  strokes  from  his 
mighty  sword. 

After  resting  a  few  moments,  Huon  bade  Sherasmin  lead  the 
way  into  the  neighboring  forest,  although  his  guide  and  mentor 
again  strove  to  dissuade  him  from  crossing  it  by  explaining  that 
the  forest  was  haunted  by  a  gobhn  who  could  change  men  into 
beasts.  The  hero,  who  was  on  his  way  to  insult  the  proudest 
ruler  on  earth,  was  not  to  be  deterred  by  a  goblin ;  and  as  She- 
rasmin still  refused  to  enter  first,  Huon  plunged  boldly  into  the 
enchanted  forest.  Sherasmin  followed  him  reluctantly,  finding 
cause  for  alarm  in  the  very  silence  of  the  dense  shade,  and  timor- 
ously glancing  from  side  to  side  in  the  gloomy  recesses,  where 
strange  forms  seemed  to  glide  noiselessly  about. 

"  Meanwhile  the  wand'ring  travelers  onward  go 
Unawares  within  the  circuit  of  a  wood. 
Whose  mazy  windings  at  each  step  renew'd. 
In  many  a  serpent-fold,  twin'd  to  and  fro. 
So  that  our  pair  to  lose  themselves  were  fain." 

WiELAND,  Obcron  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

The  travelers  lost  their  way  entirely  as  they  penetrated  farther 
into  the  forest,  and  they  came  at  last  to  a  little  glade,  where,  rest- 
Meeting  with  ing  under  the  spreading  branches  of  a  mighty  oak, 
oberon.  thgy  yvere  favored  with  the  vision  of  a  castle.  Its 
golden  portals  opened  wide  to  permit  of  the  egress  of  Oberon. 
king  of  the  fairies,  the  son  of  JuHus  Coesar  and  Morgana  the  fay. 
He  came  to  them  in  the  radiant  guise  of  the  god  of  love,  sitting 
in  a  chariot  of  silver,  drawn  by  leopards. 

Sherasmin,  terrified  at  the  appearance  of  this  radiant  creature, 
and  under  the  influence  of  wild,  unreasoning  fear,  seized  the 
bridle  of  his  master's  steed  and  dragged  him  into  the  midst  of 
the  forest,  in  spite  of  all  his  remonstrances.  At  last  he  paused, 
out  of  breath,  and  thought  himself  safe  from  further  pursuit ;  but 


HUON  OF  BORDEAUX.  167 

he  was  soon  made  aware  of  the  goblin's  wrath  by  the  sudden  out- 
break of  a  frightful  storm. 

"A  tempest,  wing'd  with  lightning,  storm,  and  rain, 
O'ertakes  our  pair :  around  them  midnight  throws 
Darkness  that  hides  the  world :   it  peels,  cracks,  blows, 
As  if  the  uprooted  globe  would  split  in  twain  ; 
The  elements  in  wild  confusion  flung. 
Each  warr'd  with  each,  as  fierce  from  chaos  sprung. 
Yet  heard  from  time  to  time  amid  the  storm, 
The  gentle  whisper  of  th'  aerial  form 
Breath'd  forth  a  lovely  tone  that  died  the  gales  among." 

WiELAND,  Oberott  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

All  Sherasmin's  efforts  to  escape  from  the  spirit  of  the  forest  had 
been  in  vain.  Oberon's  magic  horn  had  called  forth  the  raging 
tempest,  and  his  power  suddenly  stayed  its  fury  as  Huon  and  his 
companion  overtook  a  company  of  monks  and  nuns.  These  holy 
people  had  been  celebrating  a  festival  by  a  picnic,  and  were  now 
hastening  home,  drenched,  bedraggled,  and  in  a  sorry  plight. 
They  had  scarcely  reached  the  convent  yard,  however,  where 
Sherasmin  fancied  all  would  be  quite  safe  from  further  enchant- 
ment, when  Oberon  suddenly  appeared  in  their  midst  hke  a  bril- 
hant  meteor. 

"  At  once  the  storm  is  fled  ;  serenely  mild 
Heav'n  smiles  around,  bright  rays  the  sky  adorn. 
While  beauteous  as  an  angel  newly  born 
Beams  in  the  roseate  dayspring,  glow'd  the  child. 
A  lily  stalk  his  graceful  limbs  sustain'd, 
Round  his  smooth  neck  an  ivory  horn  was  chain 'd; 
Yet  lovely  as  he  was,  on  all  around 
Strange  horror  stole,  for  stern  the  fairy  frown'd, 
And  o'er  each  sadden'd  charm  a  sullen  anger  reign'd." 

WiELAND,  Oberon  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

The  displeasure  of  the  king  of  the  fairies  had  been  roused  by 
Huon  and  Sherasmin's  discourteous  flight,  but  he  merely  vented 


1 68  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  A€ES. 

his  anger  and  showed  his  power  by  breathing  a  soft  strain  on  his 

magic  horn.     At  the  same  moment,  monks,  nuns,  and  Sherasmin, 

oberon's  aid     forgetting  their  age  and  calling,  began  to  dance 

promised.  jj^  \\-^q  Wildest  abandon.  Huon  alone  remained 
uninfluenced  by  the  music,  for  he  had  had  no  wish  to  avoid  an 
encounter  with  Oberon. 

The  king  of  the  fairies  now  revealed  to  Huon  that  as  his  life 
had  been  pure  and  his  soul  true,  he  would  help  him  in  his  quest. 
Then,  at  a  wave  from  the  lily  wand  the  magic  music  ceased,  and 
the  charm  was  broken.  Sherasmin  was  graciously  forgiven  by 
Oberon,  who,  seeing  the  old  man  well-nigh  exhausted,  offered  him 
a  golden  beaker  of  wine,  bidding  him  drink  without  fear.  But 
Sherasmin  was  of  a  suspicious  nature,  and  it  was  only  when  he 
found  that  the  draught  had  greatly  refreshed  him  that  he  com- 
pletely dismissed  his  fears. 

After  informing  Huon  that  he  was  fully  aware  of  the  peculiar 
nature  of  his  quest,  Oberon  gave  him  the  golden  beaker,  assuring 

The  magic  him  that  it  would  always  be  full  of  the  richest  wine 
horn.  fQj.  ti^g  virtuous,  but  would  burn  the  evil  doer  with 

a  devouring  fire.  He  also  bestowed  his  magic  horn  upon  him, 
telling  him  that  a  gentle  blast  would  cause  all  the  hearers  to 
dance,  while  a  loud  one  would  bring  to  his  aid  the  king  of  the 
fairies  himself. 

"  '  Does  but  its  snail-like  spiral  hollow  sing, 
A  lovely  note  soft  swell'd  with  gentle  breath, 
Though  thousand  warriors  threaten  instant  death, 
And  with  advancing  weapons  round  enring; 
Then,  as  thou  late  hast  seen,  in  restless  dance 
All,  all  must  spin,  and  every  sword  and  lance 
Fall  with  th'  exhausted  warriors  to  the  ground. 
But  if  thou  peal  it  with  impatient  sound, 
I  at  thy  call  appear,  more  swift  than  lightning  glance.'" 

WiELAND,  Olierou  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

Another  wave  of  liis  lily  wand,  and  Oberon  disappeared,  leav- 
ing a  subde  fragrance  behind  him ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  the 


'^         HUON  OF  BORDEAUX.  169 

golden  beaker  and  the  ivory  horn  which  he  still  held,  Huon  might 
have  been  tempted  to  consider  the  whole  occurrence  a  dream. 

The  journey  to  Bagdad  was  now  resumed  in  a  more  hopeful 
spirit ;  and  when  the  travelers  reached  Toiu-mont  they  found  that 
it  was  governed  by  one  of  Huon's  uncles,  who,  captured  in  his 
youth  by  the  Saracens,  had  turned  Mussulman,  and  had  gradually 
risen  to  the  highest  dignity.  Seeing  Huon  refresh  some  of  the 
Christians  of  his  household  with  a  draught  of  wine  from  the  magic 
cup,  he  asked  to  be  allowed  to  drink  from  it  too.  He  had  no 
sooner  taken  hold  of  it,  however,  than  he  was  unmercifully 
burned,  for  he  was  a  renegade,  and  the  magic  cup  refreshed  only 
the  true  behevers. 

Incensed  at  what  he  fancied  a  deliberate  insult,  the  governor 
of  Tourmont  planned  to  slay  Huon  at  a  great  banquet.  But  the 
young  hero  defended  himself  bravely,  and,  after  slaying  sundry 
assailants,  disposed  of  the  remainder  by  breathing  a  soft  note 
upon  his  magic  horn,  and  setting  them  all  to  dancing  wildly, 
until  they  sank  breathless  and  exhausted  upon  their  divans. 

As  Huon  had  taken  advantage  of  the  spell  to  depart  and 
continue  his  journey,  he  soon  reached  the  castle  of  the  giant 
Angoulaffre.  The  latter  had  stolen  from  Oberon  The  giant 
a  magic  ring  which  made  the  wearer  invulnera-  Angoulaffre. 
ble,  and  thus  suffered  him  to  commit  countless  crimes  with 
impunity.  When  Huon  came  near  the  castle  he  met  an  un- 
fortunate knight  who  imformed  him  that  the  giant  detained 
his  promised  bride  captive,  together  with  several  other  helpless 
damsels. 

Like  a  true  knight  errant,  Huon  vowed  to  deliver  these  help- 
less ladies,  and,  in  spite  of  the  armed  guards  at  every  doorway, 
he  passed  unmolested  into  Angoulaffre's  chamber.  There  he 
found  the  giant  plunged  in  a  lethargy,  but  was  rapturously  wel- 
comed by  the  knight's  fair  betrothed,  who  had  long  sighed  for  a 
deliverer.  In  a  few  hurried  sentences  she  told  him  that  her  captor 
constantly  forced  his  unwelcome  attentions  upon  her ;  but  that, 
owing  to  the  protection  of  the  Virgin,  a  trance  overtook  him  and 


lyo  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

made  him  helpless  whenever  he  tried  to  force  her  inclinations  and 
take  her  to  wife. 

"  '  As  oft  the  hateful  battle  he  renews, 
As  oft  the  miracle  his  force  subdues  ; 
The  ring  no  virtue  boasts  whene'er  that  sleep  assails.'  " 

WiELAND,  Obcron  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

Prompted  by  this  fair  princess,  whose  name  was  Angela,  Huon 
secured  the  ring,  and  donned  a  magic  hauberk  hanging  near. 
But,  as  he  scorned  to  take  any  further  advantage  of  a  sleeping 
foe,  he  patiently  awaited  the  giant's  awakening  to  engage  in  one 
of  those  combats  which  the  mediaeval  poets  loved  to  describe. 

Of  course  Huon  was  victorious,  and  after  slaying  Angoulaffre, 
he  restored  the  fair  Angela  to  her  lover,  Alexis,  and  gave  a  great 

Angela  and  banquet,  which  was  attended  by  the  fifty  rescued 
Alexis.  damsels,  and  by  fifty  knights  who  had  come  to  help 
Alexis.  Although  this  gay  company  would  fain  have  had  him 
remain  with  them,  Huon  traveled  on.  When  too  exhausted  to 
continue  his  way,  he  again  rested  under  a  tree,  where  Oberon 
caused  a  tent  to  be  raised  by  invisible  hands.  Here  Huon  had 
a  wonderful  dream,  in  which  he  beheld  his  future  ladylove,  and 
was  warned  of  some  of  the  perils  which  still  awaited  him  before 
he  could  claim  her  as  his  own. 

The  journey  was  then  resumed,  and  when  they  reached  the 
banks  of  the  Red  Sea,  Oberon  sent  one  of  his  spirits,  Malebron, 
to  carry  them  safely  over.  They  traveled  through  burning  wastes 
of  sand,  refreshed  and  strengthened  by  occasional  draughts  from 
the  magic  goblet,  and  came  at  last  to  a  forest,  where  they  saw  a 
Saracen  about  to  succumb  beneath  the  attack  of  a  monstrous  lion. 
Huon  immediately  flew  to  his  rescue,  slew  the  lion,  and,  having 
drunk  deeply  from  his  magic  cup,  handed  it  to  the  Saracen,  on 
whose  lips  the  refreshing  wine  turned  to  hquid  flame. 

"  With  evil  eye,  from  Huon's  courteous  hand. 
Filled  to  the  brim,  the  heathen  takes  the  bowl  — 
Back  from  his  lip  th'  indignant  bubbles  roll! 


HUON  OF  BORDEAUX.  171 

The  spring  is  dried,  and  hot  as  fiery  brand, 
Proof  of  internal  guilt,  the  metal  glows. 
Far  from  his  grasp  the  wretch  the  goblet  throws. 
Raves,  roars,  and  stamps." 

WiELAND,  Obcron  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

With  a  blasphemous  exclamation  the  Saracen  flung  aside  the  cup, 
and  seeing  that  his  own  steed  had  been  slain  by  the  lion,  he  sprang 
unceremoniously  upon  Huon's  horse,  and  rode  rapidly  away. 

As  there  was  but  one  mount  left  for  them  both,  Huon  and 
Sherasmin  were  now^  obliged  to  proceed  more  slowly  to  Bagdad, 
where  they  found  every  hostelry  full,  as  the  people        princess 
were  all  coming  thither  to  witness  the  approaching  Rezia. 

nuptials  of  the  princess,  Rezia  (Esclamonde),  and  Babican,  King 
of  Hyrcania.  Huon  and  Sherasmin,  after  a  long  search,  finally 
found  entertainment  in  a  little  hut,  where  an  old  woman,  the 
mother  of  the  princess's  attendant,  entertained  them  by  relating 
that  the  princess  was  very  reluctant  to  marry.  She  also  told 
them  that  Rezia  had  lately  been  troubled  by  a  dream,  in  which 
she  had  seen  herself  in  the  guise  of  a  hind  and  pursued  through 
a  pathless  forest  by  Babican.  In  this  dream  she  was  saved  and 
restored  to  her  former  shape  by  a  radiant  little  creature,  who  rode 
in  a  glistening  silver  car,  drawn  by  leopards.  He  was  accom- 
panied by  a  fair-haired  knight,  whom  he  presented  to  her  as  her 
future  bridegroom. 

"  The  shadow  flies  ;  but  from  her  heart  again 
He  never  fades  —  the  youth  with  golden  hair; 
Eternally  his  image  hovers  there, 
Exhaustless  source  of  sweetly  pensive  pain, 
In  nightly  visions,  and  in  daydreams  shown." 

WiELAND,  Obefon  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

Huon  listened  in  breathless  rapture,  for  he  now  felt  assured 
that  the  princess  Rezia  was  the  radiant  creature  he  had  seen  in 
his  dream,  and  that  Oberon  intended  them  for  each  other.  He 
therefore  assured  the  old  woman  that  the  princess  should  never 


172  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

marry  the  detested  Babican.  Then,  aUhough  Sherasmin  pointed 
out  to  him  that  the  way  to  a  lady's  favor  seldom  consists  in  cutting 
off  the  head  of  her  intended  bridegroom,  depriving  her  father  of 
four  teeth  and  a  lock  of  his  beard,  and  kissing  her  without  the 
usual  preliminary  of  "  by  your  leave,"  the  young  hero  persisted 
in  his  resolution  to  visit  the  palace  on  the  morrow. 

That  selfsame  night,  Huon  and  Rezia  were  again  visited  by 
sweet  dreams,  in  which  Oberon,  their  guardian  spirit,  promised 
Oberon  again  them  liis  aid.  While  the  princess  was  arraying  her- 
to  the  rescue,  ggjf  for  her  nuptials  on  the  morrow,  the  old  woman 
rushed  into  her  apartment  and  announced  that  a  fair-haired 
knight,  evidently  the  promised  deliverer,  had  slept  in  her  humble 
dwelling  the  night  before.  Comforted  by  these  tidings,  Rezia 
made  a  triumphant  entrance  into  the  palace  hall,  where  her 
father,  the  bridegroom,  and  all  the  principal  dignitaries  of  the 
court,  awaited  her  appearance. 

"  Emirs  and  viziers,  all  the  courtly  crowd 
Meantime  attendant  at  the  sultan's  call, 
With  festal  splendor  grace  the  nuptial  hall. 
The  banquet  waits,  the  cymbals  clang  aloud. 
The  gray-beard  caliph  from  his  golden  door 
Stalks  mid  the  slaves  that  fall  his  path  before ; 
Behind,  of  stately  gesture,  proud  to  view, 
The  Druse  prince,  though  somewhat  pale  of  hue, 
Comes  as  a  bridegroom  deck'd  with  jewels  blazing  o'er." 

WiELAND,  Ohero>t  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

In  the  mean  while  Huon,  awaking  at  early  dawn,  found  a 
complete  suit  of  Saracenic  apparel  at  his  bedside.  He  donned 
it  joyfully,  entered  the  palace  unchallenged,  and  passed  into  the 
banquet  hall,  where  he  perceived  the  gray-bearded  caliph,  and 
recognized  in  the  bridegroom  at  his  left  the  Saracen  whom  he  had 
delivered  from  the  lion,  and  who  had  so  discourteously  stolen 
his  horse. 

One  stride  forward,  a  flash  of  his  curved  scimitar,  and  the  first 
part  of  Charlemagne's  order  was  fulfilled,  for  the  Saracen's  head 


IIUON  OF  BORDEAUX.  173 

rolled  to  the  ground.    The  sudden  movement  caused  Huon's  tur- 
ban to  fall  off,  however,  and  the  princess,  seated  at  the  caliph's 
right,  gazed  spellbound   upon   the  knight,  whose         Huon's 
golden  locks  fell  in  rich  curls  about  his  shoulders.         success. 

There  are  several  widely  different  versions  of  this  part  of  the 
story.  The  most  popular,  however,  states  that  Huon,  taking 
advantage  of  the  first  moments  of  surprise,  kissed  Rezia  thrice, 
slipping  on  her  finger,  in  sign  of  betrothal,  the  magic  ring  which 
he  had  taken  from  Angoulaffre.  Then,  seeing  the  caliph's  guards 
about  to  fall  upon  him,  he  gently  breathed  soft  music  on  his  magic 
horn,  and  set  caliph  and  court  a-dancing. 

"The  whole  divan,  one  swimming  circle  glides 
Swift  without  stop :   the  old  bashaws  click  time, 
As  if  on  polish'd  ice  ;  in  trance  sublime 
The  iman  hoar  with  some  spruce  courtier  slides. 
Nor  rank  nor  age  from  capering  refrain  ; 
Nor  can  the  king  his  royal  foot  restrain  ! 
He  too  must  reel  amid  the  frolic  row, 
Grasp  the  grand  vizier  by  his  beard  of  snow, 
And  teach  the  aged  man  once  more  to  bound  amain  !  " 

WiELAND,  Oberon  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

While  they  were  thus  occupied,  Huon  conducted  the  willing 
Rezia  to  the  door,  where  Sherasmin  was  waiting  for  them  with 
fleet  steeds,  and  with  Fatima,  the  princess's  favorite        Flight  of 
attendant.     While  Sherasmin  helped  the  ladies  to  Rezia. 

mount,  Huon  hastened  back  to  the  palace  hall,  and  found  that 
the  exhausted  caliph  had  sunk  upon  a  divan.  With  the  prescribed 
ceremonies,  our  hero  politely  craved  a  lock  of  his  beard  and  four 
of  his  teeth  as  a  present  for  Charlemagne.  This  impudent  request 
so  incensed  the  caliph  that  he  vociferated  orders  to  his  guards  to 
slay  the  stranger.  Huon  was  now  forced  to  defend  himself  with 
a  curtain  pole  and  a  golden  bowl,  until,  needing  aid,  he  suddenly 
blew  a  resounding  peal  upon  his  magic  horn.  The  earth  shook, 
the  palace  rocked,  Oberon  appeared  in  the  midst  of  rolling  thun- 
der and  flashing  lightning,  and  with  a  wave  of  his  lily  wand 


174  LEGENDS   OE   THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

plunged  caliph  and  people  into  a  deep  sleep.  Then  he  placed 
his  silver  car  at  Huon's  disposal,  to  bear  him  and  his  bride  and 
attendants  to  Ascalon,  where  a  ship  was  waiting  to  take  them 
back  to  France. 

"  '  So  haste,  thou  matchless  pair  ! 
On  wings  of  love,  my  car,  that  cuts  the  air. 
Shall  waft  you  high  above  terrestrial  sight, 
And  place,  ere  morning  melt  the  shades  of  night, 
On  Askalon's  far  shore,  beneath  my  guardian  care.'" 

WiELAND,  Oberon  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

AVlien  Huon  and  Rezia  were  about  to  embark  at  Ascalon, 
Oberon  appeared.  He  claimed  his  chariot,  which  had  brought 
oberon's  them  thither,  and  gave  the  knight  a  golden  and 
warning.  jeweled  caskct,  which  contained  the  teeth  of  the 
caliph  and  a  lock  of  his  beard.  One  last  test  of  Huon's  loyalty 
was  required,  however ;  for  Oberon,  at  parting,  warned  him  to 
make  no  attempt  to  claim  Rezia  as  his  wife  until  their  union  had 
been  blessed  at  Rome  by  the  Pope. 

"  '  And  deep,  O  Huon  !  grave  it  in  your  brain  ! 
Till  good  Sylvester,  pious  father,  sheds 
Heaven's  holy  consecration  on  your  heads. 
As  brother  and  as  sister  chaste  remain  ! 
Oh,  may  ye  not,  with  inauspicious  haste, 
The  fruit  forbidden  prematurely  taste  ! 
Know,  if  ye  rashly  venture  ere  the  time, 
That  Oberon,  in  vengeance  of  your  crime. 
Leaves  you,  without  a  friend,  on  life's  deserted  waste  ! '  " 

WiELANU,  Oberon  (Sotheby's  trj. 

The  first  part  of  the  journey  was  safely  accomplished ;  but 
when  they  stopped  at  Lepanto,  on  the  way,  Huon  insisted  upon 
his  mentor,  Sherasmin,  taking  passage  on  another  vessel,  which 
sailed  direct  to  France,  that  he  might  hasten  ahead,  lay  the  golden 
casket  at  Charlemagne's  feet,  and  announce  Huon's  coming  with 
his  Oriental  bride. 

When  Sherasmin  had  reluctantly  departed,  and  they  were  again 


IJUON 


AND    AMANDA     LliAP     OVtKbUAKJJ. -oaonci  Ma.^. 


IIUON  OF  FORDKACX.  175 

on  the  high  seas,  Huon  expounded  the  Christian  faith  to  Rezia, 
who  not  only  was  converted,  but  was  also  baptized  by  a  priest  on 
board.  He  gave  her  the  Christian  name  of  Amanda,  in  exchange 
for  her  pagan  name  of  Rezia  or  Esclarmonde.  This  same  priest 
also  consecrated  their  marriage ;  and  while  Huon  intended  to 
await  the  Pope's  blessing  ere  he  claimed  Amanda  as  his  wife,  his 
good  resolutions  were  soon  forgotten,  and  the  last  injunction  of 
Oberon  disregarded. 

This  disobedience  was  immediately  punished,  for  a  frightful 
tempest  suddenly  arose,  threatening  to  destroy  the  vessel  and  all 
on  board.     The  sailors,  full  of  superstitious  fears,     Disobedience 
cast  lots  to  discover  who  should  be  sacrificed  to  and 

allay  the  fury  of  the  storm.  When  the  choice  fell  ''""'^  '"^"  " 
upon  Huon,  Amanda  flung  herself  with  him  into  the  tumultuous 
waves.  As  the  lovers  vanished  overboard  the  storm  was  suddenly 
appeased,  and,  instead  of  drowning  together,  Huon  and  Amanda, 
by  the  magic  of  the  ring  she  wore,  drifted  to  a  volcanic  island, 
where  they  almost  perished  from  hunger  and  thirst. 

Much  search  among  the  rocks  was  finally  rewarded  by  the  dis- 
covery of  some  dates,  which  were  particularly  welcome,  as  the 
lovers  had  been  bitterly  deluded  by  the  sight  of  some  apples  of 
Sodom.  The  fruit,  however,  was  soon  exhausted,  and,  after  un- 
told exertions,  Huon  made  his  way  over  the  mountains  to  a  fer- 
tile valley,  the  retreat  of  Titania,  queen  of  the  fairies,  who  had 
quarreled  with  Oberon,  and  who  was  waiting  here  until  recalled 
to  fairyland. 

The  only  visible  inhabitant  of  the  valley,  however,  was  a  her- 
mit, who  welcomed  Huon,  and  showed  him  a  short  and  conven- 
ient way  to  bring  Amanda  thither.  After  listening  attentively  to 
the  story  of  Huon's  adventures,  the  hermit  bade  him  endeavor  to 
recover  the  favor  of  Oberon  by  voluntarily  living  apart  from  his 
wife,  and  leading  a  hfe  of  toil  and  abstinence. 

'* '  Blest,'  says  the  hermit,  '  blest  the  man  whom  fate 
Guides  with  strict  hand,  but  not  unfriendly  aim ! 
How  blest !  whose  slightest  fault  is  doom'd  to  shame  ! 


176  LEGENDS   OE   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

Him,  trained  to  virtue,  purest  joys  await,  — 

Earth's  purest  joys  reward  each  trying  pain  ! 

Think  not  the  fairy  will  for  aye  remain 

Inexorable  foe  to  hearts  like  thine : 

Still  o'er  you  hangs  his  viewless  hand  divine; 

Do  but  deserve  his  grace,  and  ye  his  grace  obtain.'" 

WiELAND,  Obcron  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

Huon  was  ready  and  willing  to  undergo  any  penance  which 

would  enable  him  to  deliver  his  beloved  Amanda  from  the  isle, 

Huon's         aiid  after  building  her  a  little  hut,  within  call  of  the 

penance.        cgU  j^g  occupied  With  the  hermit,  he  spent  all  his 

time  in  tilling  the  soil  for  their  sustenance,  and  in  listening  to  the 

teachings  of  the  holy  man. 

Time  passed  on.  One  day  Amanda  restlessly  wandered  a  little 
way  up  the  mountain,  and  fell  asleep  in  a  lovely  grotto,  which  she 
now  for  the  first  time  discovered.  When  she  awoke  from  a  bliss- 
ful dream  she  found  herself  clasping  her  new-born  babe,  who, 
during  her  slumbers,  had  been  cared  for  by  the  fairies.  This 
child,  Huonet,  was,  of  course,  a  great  comfort  to  Amanda,  who 
was  devoted  to  him. 

When  the  babe  was  a  little  more  than  a  year  old  the  aged 
monk  died.  Huon  and  Amanda,  despairing  of  release  from  the 
desert  island,  were  weary  of  living  apart ;  and  Titania,  who  fore- 
saw that  Oberon  would  send  new  misfortunes  upon  them  to  punish 
them  in  case  they  did  not  stand  the  second  test,  carried  httle 
Huonet  off  to  fairyland,  lest  he  should  suffer  for  his  parents'  sins. 

Huon  and  Amanda,  in  the  mean  time,  searched  frantically  for 

the  missing  babe,  fancying  it  had  wandered  off  into  the  woods. 

Amanda  and     During  their  search  they  became  separated,  and 

the  p-.rates.  Amanda,  while  walking  along  the  seashore,  was 
seized  by  pirates.  They  intended  to  carry  her  away  and  sell  her 
as  a  slave  to  the  Sultan.  Huon  heard  her  cries  of  distress,  and 
rushed  to  her  rescue ;  but  in  spite  of  his  utmost  efforts  to  join  her 
he  saw  her  borne  away  to  the  waiting  vessel,  while  he  was  bound 
to  a  tree  in  the  woods,  and  left  there  to  die. 


HUON  OF  BORDEAUX.  1 77 

"Deep  in  the  wood,  at  distance  from  tlie  shore, 
They  drag  their  victim,  that  his  loudest  word 
Pour'd  on  the  desert  air  may  pass  unheard. 
Then  bind  the  wretch,  and  fasten  o'er  and  o'er 
Arm,  leg,  and  neck,  and  shoulders,  to  a  tree. 
To  heaven  he  looks  in  speechless  agony, 
O'ercome  by  woe's  unutterable  weight. 
Thus  he  —  the  while,  with  jocund  shout  elate 
The  crew  bear  off  their  prey,  and  bound  along  the  sea." 

WiEi.AND,  Obc7-o)i  (Sotheby's  tr. ). 

Oberon,  how^ever,  had  pity  at  last  upon  the  unfortunate  knight, 
and  sent  one  of  his  invisible  servants,  who  not  only  unbound  him, 
but  transported  him,  with  miraculous  rapidity,  over  land  and  sea, 
and  deposited  him  at  the  door  of  a  gardener's  house  in  Tunis. 

After  parting  from  his  master  at  Lepanto,  Sherasmin  traveled 
on  until  he  came  to  the  gates  of  the  palace  with  his  precious 
casket.  Then  only  did  he  realize  that  Charlemagne  sherasmin's 
would  never  credit  his  tale  unless  Huon  were  there  search, 
with  his  bride  to  vouch  for  its  truth.  Instead  of  entering  the 
royal  abode  he  therefore  hastened  back  to  Rome,  where  for  two 
months  he  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  young  couple.  Then,  sure 
that  some  misfortune  had  overtaken  them,  the  faithful  Sherasmin 
wandered  in  pilgrim  guise  from  place  to  place  seeking  them,  until 
he  finally  came  to  Tunis,  where  Fatima,  Amanda's  maid,  had 
been  sold  into  slavery,  and  where  he  sorrowfully  learned  of  his 
master's  death. 

To  be  near  Fatima,  Sherasmin  took  a  gardener's  position  in  the 
Sultan's  palace,  and  when  he  opened  the  door  of  his  humble  dwell- 
ing one  morning  he  was  overjoyed  to  find  Huon,  who  had  been 
brought  there  by  the  messenger  of  Oberon.  An  explanation 
ensued,  and  Huon,  under  the  assumed  name  of  Hassan,  became 
Sherasmin's  assistant  in  the  Sultan's  gardens. 

The  pirates,  in  the  mean  while,  hoping  to  sell  Amanda  to  the 

Sultan  himself,  had  treated  her  with  the  utmost  deference  ;  but  as 

they  neared  the  shore  of  Tunis  their  vessel  suffered  shipwreck, 

and  all  on  board  perished  miserably,  except  Amanda.     She  was 

1 2 


lyS  LEGENDS   OE   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

washed  ashore  at  tlie  Sultan's  feet.  Charmed  by  her  beauty,  the 
Sultan  conveyed  her  to  his  palace,  where  he  would  immediately 
have  married  her  had  she  not  told  him  that  she  had  made  a  vow 
of  chastity  which  she  was  bound  to  keep  for  two  years. 

Huon,  unconscious  of  Amanda's  presence,  worked  in  the  gar- 
den, where  the  Sultan's  daughter  saw  him  and  fell  in  love  with 
him.   As  she  failed  to  win  him,  she  became  very  jeal- 

Huon  ■'  ' 

and  Amanda  ous.  Soou  after  this  Fatima  discovered  Amanda's 
reunited.  presence  in  the  palace,  and  informed  Huon,  who 
made  a  desperate  effort  to  reach  her.  This  was  discovered  by  the 
jealous  princess,  and  since  Huon  would  not  love  her,  she  was  de- 
termined that  he  should  not  love  another.  She  therefore  artfully 
laid  her  plans,  and  accused  him  of  a  heinous  crime,  for  which 
the  Sultan,  finding  appearances  against  him,  condemned  him  to 
death.  Amanda,  who  was  Avarned  by  Fatima  of  Huon's  danger, 
rushed  into  the  Sultan's  presence  to  plead  for  her  husband's  life ; 
but  when  she  discovered  that  she  could  obtain  it  only  at  the  price 
of  renouncing  him  forever  and  marrying  the  Sultan,  she  declared 
that  she  preferred  to  die,  and  elected  to  be  burned  with  her  be- 
loved. The  flames  were  already  rising  around  them  both,  when 
Oberon,  touched  by  their  sufferings  and  their  constancy,  suddenly 
appeared,  and  again  hung  his  horn  about  Huon's  neck. 

The  knight  hailed  this  sign  of  recovered  favor  with  rapture,  and, 
putting  the  magic  horn  to  his  lips,  showed  his  magnanimity  by 
blowing  only  a  soft  note  and  making  all  the  pagans  dance. 

"  No  sooner  had  the  grateful  knight  beheld, 
With  joyful  ardor  seen,  the  ivory  horn, 
Sweet  pledge  of  fairy  grace,  his  neck  adorn, 
Than  with  melodious  whisper  gently  swell'd, 
His  lip  entices  forth  the  sweetest  tone 
That  ever  breath'd  through  magic  ivory  blown  : 
He  scorns  to  doom  a  coward  race  to  death. 
'Dance  !  till  ye  weary  gasp,  dcpriv'd  of  breath  — 
Huon  permits  himself  this  slight  revenge  alone.'" 

WiELAND,  Oberon  (Sotheby's  tr.). 


I/CO.y   01-    BORDEAUX.  179 

While  all  were  dancing,  much  against  their  will,  Huon  and 
Amanda,  Sherasmin  and  Fatima,  promptly  stepped  into  the  sil- 
very car  which  Oberon  placed  at  their  disposal,  and 

^  X-  '  Huon  and 

were  rapidly  transported  to  fairyland.  There  they  Amanda  in 
found  little  Huonet  in  perfect  health.  Great  hap-  fairyland, 
piness  now  reigned,  for  Titania,  having  secured  the  ring  which 
Amanda  had  lost  in  her  struggle  with  the  pirates  on  the  sandy 
shore,  had  given  it  back  to  Oberon.  He  was  propitiated  by  the 
gift,  and  as  the  sight  of  Huon  and  Amanda's  fidelity  had  con- 
vinced him  that  wives  could  be  true,  he  took  Titania  back  into 
favor,  and  reinstated  her  as  queen  of  his  realm. 

When  Huon  and  Amanda  had  sojourned  as  long  as  they  wished 
in  fairyland,  they  were  wafted  in  Oberon's  car  to  the  gates  of  Paris. 
There  Huon  arrived  just  in  time  to  win,  at  the  point  of  his  lance, 
his  patrimony  of  Guienne,  which  Charlemagne  had  offered  as 
prize  at  a  tournament.  Bending  low  before  his  monarch,  the 
young  hero  then  revealed  his  name,  presented  his  wife,  gave  him 
the  golden  casket  containing  the  lock  of  hair  and  the  four  teeth, 
and  said  that  he  had  accomphshed  his  quest. 

"  Our  hero  lifts  the  helmet  from  his  head ; 
And  boldly  ent'ring,  like  the  god  of  day, 
His  golden  ringlets  down  his  armor  play. 
All,  wond'ring,  greet  the  youth  long  mourn'd  as  dead, 
Before  the  king  his  spirit  seems  to  stand  ! 
Sir  Huon  with  Amanda,  hand  in  hand, 
Salutes  the  emperor  with  respectful  bow  — 
'  Behold,  obedient  to  his  plighted  vow, 
Thy  vassal,  sovereign  liege,  returning  to  thy  land ! 

"  '  For  by  the  help  of  Heaven  this  arm  has  done 
What  thou  enjoin'dst — and  lo  !  before  thine  eye 
The  beard  and  teeth  of  Asia's  monarch  lie. 
At  hazard  of  my  life,  to  please  thee,  won ; 
And  in  this  fair,  by  every  peril  tried. 
The  heiress  of  his  throne,  my  love,  my  bride  ! ' 


i8o  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

He  spoke  ;  and  lo  !  at  once  her  knight  to  grace, 

Off  falls  the  veil  that  hid  Amanda's  face, 

And  a  new  radiance  gilds  the  hall  from  side  to  side." 

WiELAND,  Oberon  (Sotheby's  tr.). 

The  young  couple,  entirely  restored  to  favor,  sojourned  a  short 
time  at  court  and  then  traveled  southward  to  Guienne,  where 
their  subjects  received  them  with  every  demonstration  of  extrav- 
agant joy.  Here  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  together 
in  happiness  and  comparative  peace. 

According  to  an  earlier  version  of  the  story,  Esclarmonde, 

whom  the  pirates  intended  to  convey  to  the  court  of  her  uncle, 

Yvoirin  of  Montbrand,  was  wrecked  near  the  palace 

An  earlier  '■ 

version  of  the     of  Galafre,  King  of  Tunis,  who  respected  her  vow 
^  °'^^'  of  chastity  but  obstinately  refused  to  give  her  up 

to  her  uncle  when  he  claimed  her.  Huon,  delivered  from  his 
fetters  on  the  island,  was  borne  by  Malebron,  Oberon's  servant, 
to  Yvoirin's  court,  where  he  immediately  oflfered  himself  as  cham- 
pion to  defy  Galafre  and  win  back  his  beloved  wife  at  the  point 
of  the  sword.  No  sooner  did  Huon  appear  in  martial  array  at 
Tunis  than  Galafre  selected  Sherasmin  (who  had  also  been  ship- 
wrecked off  his  coast,  and  had  thus  become  his  slave)  as  his 
champion.  Huon  and  Sherasmin  met,  but,  recognizing  each  other 
after  a  few  moments'  struggle,  they  suddenly  embraced,  and, 
joining  forces,  slew  the  pagans  and  carried  off  Esclarmonde  and 
Fatima.  They  embarked  upon  a  swift  sailing  vessel,  and  soon 
arrived  at  Rome,  where  Huon  related  his  adventures  to  the  Pope, 
who  gave  him  his  blessing. 

As  they  were  on  their  way  to  Charlemagne's  court,  Girard,  a 
knight  who  had  taken  possession  of  Huon's  estates,  stole  the 
golden  casket  from  Sherasmin,  and  sent  Huon  and  Esclarmonde 
in  chains  to  Bordeaux.  Then,  going  to  court,  he  informed 
Charlemagne  that  although  Huon  had  failed  in  his  quest,  he 
had  dared  to  return  to  France.  Charlemagne,  whose  anger  had 
not  yet  cooled,  proceeded  to  Bordeaux,  tried  Huon,  and  con- 
demned him  to  death.    But  just  as  the  knight  was  about  to  perish, 


t 
HUON  OF  BORDEAUX*  i8l 

ObtTon  appeared,  bound  the  emperor  and  Girard  fast,  and  only 
consented  to  restore  them  to  freedom  when  Charlemagne  prom- 
ised to  reinstate  Huon. 

Oberon  then  produced  the  missing  casket,  revealed  Girard's 
treachery,  and,  after  seeing  him  punished,  bore  Huon  and  Esclar- 
monde  off  to  fairyland.  Huon  eventually  became  ruler  of  this 
realm  in  Oberon's  stead  ;  and  his  daughter,  Claretie,  whose  equally 
marvelous  adventures  are  told  at  great  length  in  another,  but  far 
less  celebrated,  chanson  de  geste,  is  represented  as  the  ancestress 
of  all  the  Capetian  kings  of  France. 


■;\ 


CHAPTER    XI. 

TITUREL    AND    THE    HOLY    GRAIL. 

The  most  mystical  and  spiritual  of  all  the  romances  of  chiv- 
alry is  doubtless  the  legend  of  the  Holy  Grail.  Rooted  in  the 
Origin  of  the  mythology  of  all  primitive  races  is  the  behef  in  a 
legend.  j^^d  of  peace  and  happiness,  a  sort  of  earthly  para- 

dise, once  possessed  by  man,  but  now  lost,  and  only  to  be  attained 
again  by  the  virtuous.  The  legend  of  the  Holy  Grail,  which  some 
authorities  declare  was  first  known  in  Europe  by  the  Moors,  and 
christianized  by  the  Spaniards,  was  soon  introduced  into  France, 
where  Robert  de  Borron  and  Chrestien  de  Troyes  wrote  lengthy 
poems  about  it.  Other  writers  took  up  the  same  theme,  among 
them  Walter  Map,  Archdeacon  of  Oxford,  who  connected  it  with 
the  Arthurian  legends.  It  soon  became  known  in  Germany,  where, 
in  the  hands  of  Gottfried  von  Strassburg,  and  especially  of  Wol- 
fram von  Eschenbach,  it  assumed  its  most  perfect  and  popular 
form.  The  "  Parzival "  of  Eschenbach  also  forms  the  basis  of  a 
recent  work,  the  much-discussed  last  opera  of  the  great  German 
composer,  Wagner.^ 

The  story  of  the  Grail  is  somewhat  confused,  owing  to  the  many 
changes  made  by  the  different  authors.  The  account  here  given, 
while  mentioning  the  most  striking  incidents  of  other  versions, 
is  in  general  an  outline  of  the  "Titurel  "  and  "  Parzival  "  of  Von 
Eschenbach. 

When  Lucifer  was  cast  out  of  heaven,  one  stone  of  great  beauty 
was  detached  from  the  marvelous  crown  which  sixty  thousand 

1  See  Guerber's  Stories  of  tlie  Wagner  Opera. 
182 


TITUREL   AND    THE   IJOl.Y  GRAIL.  183 

angels  had  tendered  him.     This  stone  fell  upon  earth,  and  from 
it  was  carved  a  vessel  of  great  beauty,  which  came,  after  many 
ages,  into  the  hands  of  Joseph  of  Arimathea.     He       xhe  Holy 
offered  it  to  the  Savior,  who  made  use  of  it  in  Graii. 

the  East  Supper.  When  the  blood  flowed  from  the  Redeemer's 
side,  Joseph  of  Arimathea  caught  a  few  drops  of  it  in  this  won- 
derful vessel ;  and,  owing  to  this  circumstance,  it  was  thought  to 
be  endowed  with  marvelous  powers.  "  Wherever  it  was  there 
were  good  things  in  abundance.  Whoever  looked  upon  it,  even 
though  he  were  sick  unto  death,  could  not  die  that  week ;  who- 
ever looked  at  it  continually,  his  cheeks  never  grew  pale,  nor  his 
hair  gray." 

Once  a  year,  on  the  anniversary  of  the  Savior's  death,  a  Avhite 
dove  brought  a  fresh  host  down  from  heaven,  and  placed  it  on 
the  vessel,  which  was  borne  by  a  host  of  angels,  or  by  spotless 
virgins.  The  care  of  it  was  at  times  intrusted  to  mortals,  who, 
however,  had  to  prove  themselves  worthy  of  this  exalted  honor 
by  leading  immaculate  lives.  This  vessel,  called  the  "  Holy  Grail," 
remained,  after  the  crucifixion,  in  the  hands  of  Joseph  of  Arima- 
thea. The  Jews,  angry  because  Joseph  had  helped  to  bury  Christ, 
cast  him  into  a  dungeon,  and  left  him  there  for  a  whole  year  with- 
out food  or  drink.  Their  purpose  in  doing  so  was  to  slay  Joseph, 
as  they  had  already  slain  Nicodemus,  so  that  should  the  Romans 
ever  ask  them  to  produce  Christ's  body,  they  might  declare  that 
it  had  been  stolen  by  Joseph  of  Arimathea. 

The  Jews  little  suspected,  however,  that  Joseph,  having  the 
Holy  Grail  with  him,  could  suffer  no  lack.  When  Vespasian,  the 
Roman  emperor,  heard  the  story  of  Christ's  passion,  as  related 
by  a  knight  who  had  just  returned  from  the  Holy  Land,  he  sent 
a  commission  to  Jerusalem  to  investigate  the  matter  and  bring 
back  some  holy  relic  to  cure  his  son  Titus  of  leprosy. 

In  due  time  the  ambassadors  returned,  giving  Pilate's  version 
of  the  story,  and  bringing  with  them  an  old  woman  (known  after 
her  death  as  St.  '\''eronica).  She  produced  the  cloth  with  which  she 
had  wiped  the  Lord's  face,  and  upon  which  his  likeness  had  been 


1 84  LEGENDS   OE   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Stamped  by  miracle.  The  mere  sight  of  this  holy  relic  sufficed  to 
restore  Titus,  who  now  proceeded  with  Vespasian  to  Jerusalem. 
There  they  vainly  tried  to  compel  the  Jews  to  produce  the  body 
of  Christ,  until  one  of  them  revealed,  under  pressure  of  torture, 
the  place  where  Joseph  was  imprisoned.  Vespasian  proceeded  in 
person  to  the  dungeon,  and  was  hailed  by  name  by  the  perfectly 
healthy  prisoner.  Joseph  was  set  free,  but,  fearing  further  per- 
secution from  the  Jews,  soon  departed  with  his  sister,  Enigee,  and 
her  husband,  Brons,  for  a  distant  land.  The  pilgrims  found  a 
place  of  refuge  near  Marseilles,  where  the  Holy  Grail  supplied 
all  their  needs,  until  one  of  them  committed  a  sin.  Then  divine 
displeasure  became  manifest  by  a  terrible  famine. 

As  none  knew  who  had  sinned,  Joseph  was  instructed  in  a  vision 
to  discover  the  culprit  by  the  same  means  with  which  the  Lord 
had  revealed  the  guilt  of  Judas.  Still  following  divine  commands, 
Joseph  made  a  table,  and  directed  Brons  to  catch  a  fish.  The 
Grail  was  placed  before  Joseph's  seat  at  table,  where  all  who  im- 
plicitly beheved  were  invited  to  take  a  seat.  Eleven  seats  were 
soon  occupied,  and  only  Judas's  place  remained  empty.  Moses, 
a  hypocrite  and  sinner,  attempted  to  sit  there,  but  the  earth 
opened  wide  beneath  him  and  ingulfed  him. 

In  another  vision  Joseph  was  now  informed  that  the  vacancy 
would  only  be  filled  on  the  day  of  doom.  He  was  also  told  that 
a  similar  table  would  be  constructed  by  Merhn.  Here  the  grand- 
son of  Brons  would  honorably  occupy  the  vacant  place,  which  is 
designated  in  the  legend  as  the  "  Siege  Perilous,"  because  it  proved 
fatal  to  all  for  whom  it  was  not  intended. 

In  the  "  Great  St.  Grail,"  one  of  the  longest  poems  on  this 
theme,  there  are  countless  adventures  and  journeys,  "  transforma- 
tions of  fair  females  into  foul  fiends,  conversions  wholesale  and 
individual,  allegorical  visions,  miracles,  and  portents.  Eastern 
splendor  and  northern  weirdness,  angelry  and  deviltry,  together 
with  abundant  fighting  and  quite  a  phenomenal  amount  of  swoon- 
ing, which  seem  to  reflect  a  strange  medley  of  Celtic,  pagan,  and 
mythological  traditions,  and   Christian   legends  and  mysticism, 


TITUKEL  AND    THE  HOLY  GRAIL.  185 

alternate  in  a  kaleidoscopic  maze  that  defies  the  symmetry  which 
modern  aesthetic  canons  associate  with  every  artistic  production." 

The  Holy  Grail  was,  we  are  further  told,  transported  by  Joseph 
of  Arimathea  to  Glastonbury,  where  it  long  remained  visible, 
and  whence  it  vanished  only  when  men  became  too  sinful  to  be 
permitted  to  retain  it  in  their  midst. 

Another  legend  relates  that  a  rich  man  from  Cappadocia,  Ber- 
illus,  followed  Vespasian  to  Rome,  where  he  won  great  estates. 
He  was  a  very  virtuous  man,  and  his  good  quali- 

•    ,        •       1    ,  1,    1  •      J  1  r^  Birth  of  Titurel. 

ties  were  mhented  by  all  his  descendants.  One 
of  them,  called  Titurisone,  greatly  regretted  having  no  son  to  con- 
tinue his  race.  When  advised  by  a  soothsayer  to  make  a  pilgrim- 
age to  the  holy  sepulcher,  and  there  to  lay  a  crucifix  of  pure  gold 
upon  the  altar,  the  pious  Titurisone  hastened  to  do  so.  On  his 
return  he  was  rewarded  for  his  pilgrimage  by  the  birth  of  a  son, 
called  Titurel. 

This  child,  when  he  had  attained  manhood,  spent  all  his  time  in 
warring  against  the  Saracens,  as  all  pagans  are  called  in  these  met- 
rical romances.  The  booty  he  won  he  gave  either  to  the  church 
or  to  the  poor,  and  his  courage  and  virtue  were  only  equaled 
by  his  piety  and  extreme  humility. 

One  day,  when  Titurel  was  walking  alone  in  the  woods,  he  was 
favored  by  the  vision  of  an  angel.  The  celestial  messenger  sailed 
down  to  earth  out  of  the  blue,  and  announced  in  musical  tones 
that  the  Lord  had  chosen  him  to  be  the  guardian  of  the  Holy  Grail 
on  Montsalvatch  (which  some  authors  believe  to  have  been  in 
Spain),  and  that  it  behooved  him  to  set  his  house  in  order  and 
obey  the  voice  of  God. 

When  the  angel  had  floated  upward  and  out  of  sight,  Titurel  re- 
turned home.  After  disposing  of  all  his  property,  reserving  noth- 
ing but  his  armor  and  trusty  sword,  he  again  returned  to  the  spot 
where  he  had  been  favored  with  the  divine  message.  There  he 
saw  a  mysterious  white  cloud,  which  seemed  to  beckon  him  on- 
ward. Titurel  followed  it,  passed  through  vast  solitudes  and  al- 
most impenetrable  woods,  and  eventually  began  to  climb  a  steep 


1 86  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

mountain,  whose  ascent  at  first  seemed  impossible.  Clinging  to 
the  rocks,  and  gazing  ever  ahead  at  the  guiding  cloud,  Titurel 
came  at  last  to  the  top  of  the  mountain,  where,  in  a  beam  of  re- 
fulgent light,  he  beheld  the  Holy  Grail,  borne  in  the  air  by  invisi- 
ble hands.  He  raised  his  heart  in  passionate  prayer  that  he  might 
be  found  worthy  to  guard  the  emerald-colored  wonder  which  was 
thus  intrusted  to  his  care,  and  in  his  rapture  hardly  heeded  the 
welcoming  cries  of  a  number  of  knights  in  shining  armor,  who 
hailed  him  as  their  king. 

The  vision  of  the  Holy  Grail  was  as  evanescent  as  beautiful, 
and  soon  disappeared ;  but  Titurel,  knowing  that  the  spot  was 
holy,  guarded  it  with  all  his  might  against  the  infidels,  who  would 
fain  have  climbed  the  mountain. 

After  several  years  had  passed  without  the  Holy  Grail's  coming 
down  to  earth,  Titurel  conceived  the  plan  of  building  a  temple 
suitable  for  its  reception.  The  knights  who  helped  to  build  and 
afterward  guarded  this  temple  were  called  "Templars."  Their 
first  effort  was  to  clear  the  mountain  top,  which  they  found  was 
one  single  onyx  of  enormous  size.  This  they  leveled  and  polished 
until  it  shone  like  a  mirror,  and  upon  this  foundation  they  pre- 
pared to  build  their  temple. 

As  Titurel  was  hesitating  what  plan  to  adopt  for  the  building, 

he  prayed  for  guidance,  and  when  he  arose  on  the  morrow  he 

Temple  of  the     found  the  ground  plan  all  traced  out  and  the  build- 

Hoiy  Grail.  ij-,g  materials  ready  for  use.  The  knights  labored 
piously  from  morning  till  night,  and  when  they  ceased,  invisible 
hands  continued  to  work  all  night.  Thus  pushed  onward,  the 
work  was  soon  completed,  and  the  temple  rose  on  the  mountain 
top  in  all  its  splendor.  "The  temple  itself  was  one  hundred 
fathoms  in  diameter.  Around  it  were  seventy-two  chapels  of  an 
octagonal  shape.  To  every  pair  of  chapels  there  was  a  tower  six 
stories  high,  apjiroachable  by  a  w  inding  stair  on  the  outside.  In 
the  center  stood  a  tower  twice  as  big  as  the  others,  which  rested 
on  arches.  The  vaulting  was  of  blue  sapphire,  and  in  the  center 
was  a  plate  of  emerald,  with  tlie  lamb  and  the  banner  of  the  cross 


Tfl-fREf.    AXn    rJfE    HOLY   GRAIL.  187 

in  enamel.  All  the  altar  stones  were  of  sapphire,  as  symbols  of 
the  propitiation  of  sins.  Upon  the  inside  of  the  cupola  surmount- 
ing the  temple,  the  sun  and  moon  were  represented  in  diamonds 
and  topazes,  and  shed  a  light  as  of  day  even  in  the  darkness  of 
the  night.  The  windows  were  of  crystal,  beryl,  and  other  trans- 
parent stones.  The  fioor  was  of  translucent  crystal,  under  which 
all  the  fishes  of  the  sea  were  carved  out  of  onyx,  just  like  life. 
The  towers  were  of  precious  stones  inlaid  with  gold  ;  their  roofs 
of  gold  and  blue  enamel.  Upon  every  tower  there  was  a  crystal 
cross,  and  upon  it  a  golden  eagle  with  expanded  wings,  which,  at 
a  distance,  appeared  to  be  flying.  At  the  summit  of  the  main 
tower  was  an  immense  carbuncle,  which  served,  like  a  star,  to 
guide  the  Templars  thither  at  night.  In  the  center  of  the  build- 
ing, under  the  dome,  was  a  miniature  representation  of  the  whole, 
and  in  this  the  holy  vessel  was  kept." 

When  all  the  work  was  finished,  the  temple  was  solemnly  con- 
secrated, and  as  the  priests  chanted  the  psalms  a  sweet  perfume 
filled  the  air,  and  the  holy  vessel  was  seen  to  ghde  Descent  of  the 
down  on  a  beam  of  light.  While  it  hovered  just  "°'y  ^''^'i- 
above  the  altar  the  wondering  assembly  heard  the  choir  of  the 
angels  singing  the  praises  of  the  Most  High.  The  Holy  Grail, 
which  had  thus  come  down  upon  earth,  was  faithfully  guarded 
by  Titurel  and  his  knights,  who  were  fed  and  sustained  by  its 
marvelous  power,  and  whose  wounds  were  healed  as  soon  as  they 
gazed  upon  it.  From  time  to  time  it  also  delivered  a  divine  mes- 
sage, which  appeared  in  letters  of  fire  inscribed  about  its  rim,  and 
which  none  of  the  Templars  ever  ventured  to  disregard. 

By  virtue  of  the  miraculous  preservative  influence  of  the  Holy 
Grail,  Titurel  seemed  but  forty  when  he  was  in  reality  more  than 
four  hundred  years  old.  His  every  thought  had  been  so  engrossed 
by  the  care  of  the  precious  vessel  that  he  was  somewhat  surprised 
when  he  read  upon  its  rim  a  luminous  command  to  marry,  so  that 
his  race  might  not  become  extinct.  When  the  knights  of  the 
temple  had  been  summoned,  and  had  all  perused  the  divine  com- 
mand, they  began  to  consider  where  a  suitable  helpmate  could  be 


1 88  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

found  for  their  beloved  king.  They  soon  advised  him  to  woo 
Richoude,  the  daughter  of  a  Spaniard.  An  imposing  embassy 
was  sent  to  the  maiden,  who,  being  piously  inclined,  immediately 
consented  to  the  marriage. 

Richoude  was  a  faithful  wife  for  twenty  years,  and  when  she 
died  she  left  two  children, — a  son,  Frimoutel,  and  a  daughter, 
Richoude, — to  comfort  the  sorrowing  Titurel  for  her  loss.  These 
children  both  married  in  their  turn,  and  Frimoutel  had  two  sons, 
Amfortas  and  Trevrezent,  and  three  daughters,  Herzeloide,  Josi- 
ane,  and  Repanse  de  Joie.  As  these  children  grew  up,  Titurel 
became  too  old  to  bear  the  weight  of  his  armor,  and  spent  all  his 
days  in  the  temple,  where  he  finally  read  on  the  Holy  Grail  a 
command  to  anoint  Frimoutel  king.  Joyfully  the  old  man  obeyed, 
for  he  had  long  felt  that  the  defense  of  the  Holy  Grail  should  be 
intrusted  to  a  younger  man  than  he. 

Although  he  renounced  the  throne  in  favor  of  his  son,  Titurel 
lived  on,  witnessed  the  marriage  of  Josiane,  and  mourned  for  her 
Birth  of  Parzi-  when  she  died  in  giving  birth  to  a  httle  daughter, 
■^^^^  called  Sigune.    This  child,  being  thus  deprived  of  a 

mother's  care,  was  intrusted  to  Herzeloide,  who  brought  her  up 
with  Tchionatulander,  the  orphaned  son  of  a  friend.  Herzeloide 
married  a  prince  named  Gamuret,  and  became  the  happy  mother 
of  Parzival,  who,  however,  soon  lost  his  father  in  a  terrible  battle. 

Fearful  lest  her  son,  when  grown  up,  should  want  to  follow  his 
father's  example,  and  make  war  against  even  the  most  formi- 
dable foes,  Herzeloide  carried  him  off  into  the  forest  of  Soltane 
(which  some  authors  locate  in  Brittany),  and  there  brought  him 
up  in  complete  solitude  and  ignorance. 

"  The  child  her  falling  tears  bedew; 
No  wife  was  ever  found  more  true. 
She  teemed  with  joy  and  uttered  sighs; 
And  tears  midst  laughter  filled  her  eyes. 
Her  heart  delighted  in  his  birth  ; 
In  sorrow  deep  was  drowned  her  mirth." 

Wolfram  von  Eschenbach,  Parzival  (Dippold's  tr.). 


PARZIVAL    UNCOVERING    THE    HOLY    GRAH..  —  Pixls. 


({>;..  p.  189.) 


TrrUREL   AND    THE   HOLY  GRAIL.  189 

While  she  was  living  there,  Frimoutel,  weary  of  the  dull  life  on 
Montsalvatch,  went  out  into  the  world,  and  died  of  a  lance  wound 
when  far  away  from  home.  Amfortas,  his  son,  who  Amfortas's 
was  now  crowned  in  obedience  to  the  command  wound, 
of  the  Holy  Grail,  proved  equally  restless,  and  went  out  also  in 
search  of  adventures.  Like  his  father,  he  too  was  wounded  by 
a  poisoned  lance ;  but,  instead  of  dying,  he  lived  to  return  to  the 
Holy  Grail.  But  since  his  wound  had  not  been  received  in  defense 
of  the  holy  vessel,  it  never  healed,  and  caused  him  untold  suffering. 

Titurel,  seeing  this  suffering,  prayed  ardently  for  his  grandson's 
release  from  the  pain  which  imbittered  every  moment  of  his  life, 
and  was  finally  informed  by  the  glowing  letters  on  the  rim  of  the 
Holy  Grail  that  a  chosen  hero  would  climb  the  mountain  and  in- 
quire the  cause  of  Amfortas's  pain.  At  this  question  the  evil  spell 
would  be  broken,  Amfortas  healed,  and  the  newcomer  appointed 
king  and  guardian  of  the  Holy  Grail. 

This  promise  of  ultimate  cure  saved  Amfortas  from  utter  de- 
spair, and  all  the  Templars  lived  in  constant  anticipation  of  the 
coming  hero,  and  of  the  question  which  would  put  an  end  to  the 
torment  which  they  daily  witnessed. 

Parzival,  in  the  mean  while,  was  growing  up  in  the  forest, 
where  he  amused  himself  with  a  bow  and  arrow  of  his  own  manu- 
facture. But  when  for  the  first  time  he  killed  a  Parzivai's  early 
tiny  bird,  and  saw  it  lying  limp  and  helpless  in  his  '"f^- 

hand,  he  brought  it  tearfully  to  his  mother  and  inquired  what  it 
meant.  In  answering  him  she,  for  the  first  time  also,  mentioned 
the  name  of  God  ;  and  when  he  eagerly  questioned  her  about  the 
Creator,  she  .said  to  him  :  "  Brighter  is  God  than  e'en  the  bright- 
est day ;  yet  once  he  took  the  form  and  face  of  man." 

Thus  brought  up  in  complete  ignorance,  it  is  no  wonder  that 
when  young  Parzival  encountered  some  knights  in  brilliant  armor 
in  the  forest,  he  fell  down  and  offered  to  worship  them.  Amused 
at  the  lad's  simplicity,  the  knights  told  him  all  about  the  gay  world 
of  chivalry  beyond  the  forest,  and  advised  him  to  ride  to  Arthur's 
court,  where,  if  worthy,  he  would  receive  the  order  of  knighthood, 


190  LEGENDS   OE    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

and  perchance  be  admitted  to  the  Round  Table.  Beside  himself 
with  joy  at  hearing  all  these  marvelous  things,  and  eager  to  set 
out  immediately,  Parzival  returned  to  his  mother  to  relate  what  he 
had  seen,  and  to  implore  her  to  give  him  a  horse,  that  he  might 
ride  after  the  knights. 

"  '  I  saw  four  men,  dear  mother  mine ; 
Not  brighter  is  the  Lord  divine. 
They  spoke  to  me  of  chivalry  ; 
Through  Arthur's  power  of  royalty, 
In  knightly  honor  well  arrayed, 
I  shall  receive  the  accolade.'  " 

WoLiKAM  VON  EsCHENbACH,  Parzival  (Dippold's  tr.). 

The  mother,  finding  herself  unable  to  detain  him  any  longer, 
reluctantly  consented  to  his  departure,  and,  hoping  that  ridicule 
and  lack  of  success  would  soon  drive  him  back  to  her,  prepared  for 
him  the  motley  garb  of  a  fool  and  gave  him  a  very  sorry  nag  to  ride. 

"  The  boy,  silly  yet  brave  indeed, 
Oft  from  his  mother  begged  a  steed. 
That  in  her  heart  she  did  lament ; 
She  thought :    '  Him  must  I  make  content, 
Yet  must  the  thing  an  evil  be.' 
Thereafter  further  pondered  she  : 
'  The  folk  are  prone  to  ridicule. 
My  child  the  garments  of  a  fool 
Shall  on  his  shining  body  wear. 
If  he  be  scoffed  and  beaten  there. 
Perchance  he'll  come  to  me  again.'  " 

Wolfram  von  Eschenisach,  /Virs/rvr/ (Bayard  Taylor's  tr.). 

Thus  equipped,  his  mind  well  stored  with  all  manner  of  un- 
practical advice  given  by  his  mother  in  further  hopes  of  making 
a  worldlv  career  impossible  for  him,  the  young  hero 

Parzivals  jour-  -  ^  . 

ney  into  the      sct  out.     As  he  rode  away  from  home,  his  heart 

'^°''''^'  was  iilled  with  regret  at  leaving  and  with  an  ardent 

desire  to  seek  adventures  abroad,  — conflicting  emotions  which  he 

experienced  for  the  first  time  in  his  life.     I  lerzeloide  accompanied 

her  son  part  way,  kissed  him  good-by,  and,  as  his  beloved  form 


TITUREL   AND    TlfR   HOLY   GRAIL.  191 

disappeared  from  view  in  the  forest  paths,  her  heart  broke  and 
she  breathed  her  last! 

Parzival  rode  onward  and  soon  came  to  a  meadow,  in  which 
some  tents  were  pitched.  He  saw  a  beautiful  lady  asleep  in  one 
of  these  tents,  and,  dismounting,  he  wakened  her  with  a  kiss,  thus 
obeying  one  of  his  mother's  injunctions — to  kiss  every  fair  lady 
he  met.  To  his  surprise,  however,  the  lady  seemed  indignant ; 
so  he  tried  to  pacify  her  by  telling  her  that  he  had  often  thus 
saluted  his  mother.  Then,  slipping  the  bracelet  from  off  her  arm, 
and  carrying  it  away  as  a  proof  that  she  was  not  angry,  he  rode 
on.  Lord  Orilus,  the  lady's  husband,  hearing  from  her  that  a 
youth  had  kissed  her,  flew  into  a  towering  rage,  and  rode  speedily 
away,  hoping  to  overtake  the  impudent  varlet  and  punish  him. 

Parzival,  in  the  mean  while,  had  journeyed  on,  and,  passing 
through  the  forest,  had  seen  a  maiden  weeping  over  the  body  of 
her  slain  lover.  In  answer  to  his  inquiries  she  told  him  that  she 
was  his  cousin,  Sigune,  and  that  the  dead  man,  Tchionatulander, 
had  been  killed  in  trying  to  fulfill  a  trifling  request — to  recover 
her  pet  dog,  which  had  been  stolen.  Parzival  promised  to  avenge 
Tchionatulander  as  soon  as  possible,  and  to  remember  that  the 
name  of  the  murderer  was  Orilus. 

Next  he  came  to  a  river,  where  he  was  ferried  across,  and  re- 
paid the  boatman  by  giving  him  the  bracelet  he  had  taken  from 
Orilus's  wife.  Then,  hearing  that  Arthur  was  holding  his  court 
at  Nantes,  he  proceeded  thither  without  further  delay. 

On  entering  the  city,  Parzival  encountered  the  Red  Knight, 
who  mockingly  asked  him  where  he  was  going.  The  unabashed 
youth  immediately  retorted,  "To  Arthur's  court  to  ask  him  for 
your  arms  and  steed!" 

A  little  farther  on  the  youth's  motley  garb  attracted  much  at- 
tention, and  the  town  boys  made  fun  of  him  until  Iwanet,  one  of 
the  king's  squires,  came  to  inquire  the  cause  of  the       Parzivai  at 
tumult.      He  took   Parzival  under  his  protection,    Arthur's  court, 
and  conducted  him  to  the  great  hall,  where,  if  we  are  to  believe 
some  accounts,  Parzival  boldly  presented  himself  on  horseback. 


192  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

The  sight  of  the  gay  company  so  dazzled  the  inexperienced  youth 
that  he  wonderingly  inquired  why  there  were  so  many  Arthurs. 
When  Iwanet  told  him  that  the  wearer  of  the  crown  was  the  sole 
king,  Parzival  boldly  stepped  up  to  him  and  asked  for  the  arms 
and  steed  of  the  Red  Knight. 

Arthur  wonderingly  gazed  at  the  youth,  and  then  replied  that  he 
could  have  them  provided  he  could  win  them.  This  was  enough. 
Parzival  sped  after  the  knight,  overtook  him,  and  loudly  bade  him 
surrender  weapons  and  steed.  The  Red  Knight,  thus  challenged, 
began  to  fight ;  but  Parzival,  notwithstanding  his  inexperience, 
wielded  his  spear  so  successfully  that  he  soon  slew  his  opponent. 
To  secure  the  steed  was  an  easy  matter,  but  how  to  remove  the 
armor  the  youth  did  not  know.  By  good  fortune,  however,  Iwa- 
net soon  came  up  and  helped  Parzival  to  don  the  armor.  He 
put  it  on  over  his  motley  garb,  which  he  would  not  set  aside  be- 
cause his  mother  had  made  it  for  him. 

Some  time  after,  Parzival  came  to  the  castle  of  Gurnemanz,  a 
noble  knight,  with  whom  he  remained  for  some  time.  Here  he 
received  valuable  instructions  in  all  a  knight  need  know.  When 
Parzival  left  this  place,  about  a  year  later,  he  was  an  accomphshed 
knight,  clad  as  beseemed  his  calling,  and  ready  to  fulfill  all  the 
duties  which  chivalry  imposed  upon  its  votaries. 

He  soon  heard  that  Queen  Conduiramour  was  hard  pressed, 
in  her  capital  of  Belripar,  by  an  unwelcome  suitor.  As  he  had 
Parzival  and  pledged  his  word  to  defend  all  ladies  in  distress, 
Conduiramour.  Parzival  immediately  set  out  to  rescue  this  queen. 
A  series  of  brilliant  single  fights  disposed  of  the  besiegers,  and 
the  citizens  of  Belripar,  to  show  their  gratitude  to  their  deliverer, 
offered  him  the  hand  of  their  queen,  Conduiramour,  which  he 
gladly  accepted.  But  Parzival,  even  in  this  new  home,  could 
not  forget  his  sorrowing  mother,  and  he  soon  left  his  wife  to  go 
in  search  of  Herzeloide,  hoping  to  comfort  her.  He  promised 
his  wife  that  he  would  return  soon,  however,  and  would  bring 
his  mother  to  Belripar  to  share  their  joy.  Tn  the  course  of  this 
journey  homeward    Parzival    came    to   a  lake,  where   a  richly 


'J'lri'REI.   A\D    Till:    IlOl.y   GRAII..  1 93 

dressed  fisherman,  in  answer  to  his  inquiry,  directed  him  to  a 
neighboring  castle  where  he  might  find  shelter. 

Although  Parzival  did  not  know  it,  he  had  come  to  the  temple 
and  castle  on  Montsalvatch.  'i'he  drawbridge  was  immediately 
lowered  at  his  call,  and  richly  clad  servants  bade  castieofthc 
liim  welcome  witli  joyful  mien.  They  told  him  ^°'y  Graii. 
that  he  had  long  been  expected,  and  after  arraying  him  in  a  jew- 
eled garment,  sent  by  Queen  Repanse  de  Joie,  they  conducted  him 
into  a  large,  brilliantly  illumined  hall.  There  four  hundred  knights 
were  seated  on  soft  cushions,  before  small  tables  each  laid  for 
four  guests  ;  and  as  they  saw  him  enter  a  flash  of  joy  passed  over 
their  grave  and  melancholy  faces.  The  high  seat  was  occupied 
by  a  man  wrapped  in  furs,  who  was  evidently  suffering  from  some 
painful  disease.  He  made  a  sign  to  Parzival  to  draw  near,  gave 
him  a  seat  beside  him,  and  presented  him  with  a  sword  of  exqui- 
site workmanship.  To  Parzival's  surprise  this  man  bade  him 
welcome  also,  and  repeated  that  he  had  long  been  expected. 
The  young  knight,  amazed  by  all  he  heard  and  saw,  remained 
silent,  for  he  did  not  wish  to  seem  inquisitive, — a  failing  un- 
worthy of  a  knight.  Suddenly  the  great  doors  opened,  and  a 
servant  appeared  bearing  the  bloody  head  of  a  lance,  with  which 
he  silently  walked  around  the  hall,  while  all  gazed  upon  it  and 
groaned  aloud. 

The  servant  had  scarcely  vanished  when  the  doors  again  opened, 
and  beautiful  virgins  came  marching  in,  two  by  two.  They  bore 
an  embroidered  cushion,  an  ebony  stand,  and  sundry  other  arti- 
cles, which  they  laid  before  the  fur-clad  king.  Last  of  all  came 
the  beautiful  maiden,  Repanse  de  Joie,  bearing  a  glowing  vessel ; 
and  as  she  entered  and  laid  it  before  the  king,  Parzival  heard  the 
assembled  knights  whisper  that  this  was  the  Holy  Grail. 

*'  Now  after  them  advanced  the  Queen, 
With  countenance  of  so  bright  a  sheen, 
They  all  imagined  day  would  dawn. 
One  saw  the  maiden  was  clothed  on 

13 


194  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

With  muslin  stuffs  of  Araby. 
On  a  green  silk  cushion  she 
The  pearl  of  Paradise  did  bear. 

The  blameless  Queen,  proud,  pure,  and  calm, 
Before  the  host  put  down  the  Grail ; 
And  Percival,  so  runs  the  tale, 
To  gaze  upon  her  did  not  fail, 
"Who  thither  bore  the  Holy  Grail." 

Wolfram  von  Eschenbach,  /Vz^rz/a/ (Bayard  Taylor's  tr.). 

The  maidens  then  slowly  retired,  the  knights  and  squires  drew 
near,  and  now  from  the  shining  vessel  streamed  forth  a  supply 
of  the  daintiest  dishes  and  richest  wines,  each  guest  being  served 
with  the  viands  which  he  liked  best.  All  ate  sadly  and  in  silence, 
while  Parzival  wondered  what  it  might  all  mean,  yet  remained 
mute.  The  meal  ended,  the  sufferer  rose  from  his  seat,  gazed 
reproachfully  at  the  visitor,  who,  by  asking  a  question,  could  have 
saved  him  such  pain,  and  slowly  left  the  room,  uttering  a  deep 
sigh. 

With  angry  glances  the  knights  also  left  the  hall,  and  sad-faced 
servants  conducted  Parzival  past  a  sleeping  room,  where  they 
showed  him  an  old  white-haired  man  who  lay  in  a  troubled  sleep. 
Parzival  wondered  still  more,  but  did  not  venture  to  ask  who  it 
might  be.  Next  the  servants  took  him  to  an  apartment  where  he 
could  spend  the  night.  The  tapestry  hangings  of  this  room  were 
all  embroidered  with  gorgeous  pictures.  Among  them  the  young 
hero  noticed  one  in  particular,  because  it  represented  his  host 
borne  down  to  the  ground  by  a  spear  thrust  into  his  bleeding 
side.  Parzival's  curiosity  was  even  greater  than  before ;  but, 
scorning  to  ask  a  servant  what  he  had  not  ventured  to  demand 
of  the  master,  he  went  quietly  to  bed,  thinking  that  he  would  try 
to  secure  an  explanation  on  the  morrow. 

When  he  awoke  he  found  himself  alone.  No  servant  answered 
his  call.  All  the  doors  were  fastened  except  those  which  led  out- 
side, where  he  found  his  steed  awaiting  him.    When  he  had  passed 


TITCRKL   AXD    THE   HOLY   GRAIL.  195 

the  drawbridge  it  rose  up  slowly  behind  him,  and  a  voice  called 
out  from  the  tower,  "Thou  art  accursed;  for  thou  hadst  been 
chosen  to  do  a  great  work,  which  thou  hast  left  undone!  "  Then 
looking  upward,  Parzival  saw  a  horrible  face  gazing  after  him 
with  a  fiendish  grin,  and  making  a  gesture  as  of  malediction. 

At  the  end  of  that  day's  journey,  Parzival  came  to  a  lonely 
cell  in  the  desert,  where  he  found  Sigune  weeping  over  a  shrine 
in  which  lay  Tchionatulander's  embalmed  remains. 
She  too  received  him  with  curses,  and  revealed  to 
him  that  by  one  sympathetic  question  only  he  might  have  ended 
Amfortas's  prolonged  pain,  broken  an  evil  spell,  and  won  for  him- 
self a  glorious  crown. 

Horrified,  now  that  he  knew  what  harm  he  had  done,  Parzival 
rode  away,  feeling  as  if  he  were  indeed  accursed.  His  greatest 
wish  was  to  return  to  the  mysterious  castle  and  atone  for  his  re- 
missness by  asking  the  question  which  would  release  the  king  from 
further  pain.  But  alas!  the  castle  had  vanished;  and  our  hero 
was  forced  to  journey  from  place  to  place,  seeking  diligently,  and 
meeting  with  many  adventures  on  the  way. 

At  times  the  longing  to  give  up  the  quest  and  return  home  to 
his  young  wife  was  almost  unendurable.  His  thoughts  were  ever 
with  her,  and  the  poem  relates  that  even  a  drop  of  blood  fallen 
on  the  snow  reminded  him  most  vividly  of  the  dazzling  complex- 
ion of  Conduiramour,  and  of  her  sorrow  when  he  departed. 

"  '  Conduiramour,  thine  image  is 
Here  in  the  snow  now  dyed  with  red 
And  in  the  blood  on  snowy  bed. 
Conduiramour,  to  them  compare 
Thy  forms  of  grace  and  beauty  rare.'" 

Wolfram  von  Eschenbach,  Parzival  (Dippold's  tr.). 

Although  exposed  to  countless  temptations,  Parzival  remained 
true  to  his  wife  as  he  rode  from  place  to  place,  constantly  seek- 
ing the  Holy  Grail.  His  oft-reiterated  questions  concerning  it 
caused  him  to  be  considered  a  madman  or  a  fool  by  all  he  met. 

In  the  course  of  his  journeys,  he  encountered  a  lady  in  chains, 


iy6  LEGENDS   OE    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

led  by  a  knight  who  seemed  to  take  pleasure  in  torturing  her. 
Taught  by  Gurnemanz  to  rescue  all  ladies  in  distress,  Parzival 
challenged  and  defeated  this  knight.  Then  only  did  he  discover 
that  it  was  Sir  Orilus,  who  had  led  his  wife  about  in  chains  to 
punish  her  for  accepting  a  kiss  from  a  strange  youth.  Of  course 
Parzival  now  hastened  to  give  an  explanation  of  the  whole  affair, 
and  the  defeated  knight,  at  his  request,  promised  to  treat  his  wife 
with  all  kindness  in  future. 

As  Parzival  had  ordered  all  the  knights  whom  he  had  defeated 
to  journey  immediately  to  Arthur's  court  and  tender  him  their  serv- 
ices, the  king  had  won  many  brave  warriors.  He  was  so  pleased 
by  these  constant  arrivals,  and  so  delighted  at  the  repeated  ac- 
counts of  Parzival's  valor,  that  he  became  very  anxious  to  see 
him  once  more. 

To  gratify  this  wish  several  knights  were  sent  in  search  of  the 

wanderer,  and  when  they  finally  found  him  they  bade  him  come 

Parzival        to  court.   Parzival  obeyed,  was  knighted  by  Arthur's 

knighted.  q^^-^  hand,  and,  according  to  some  accounts,  occu- 
pied the  "  Siege  Perilous  "  at  the  Round  Table.  Other  versions 
state,  however,  that  just  as  he  was  about  to  take  this  seat  the  witch 
Kundrie,  a  messenger  of  the  Holy  Grail,  appeared  in  the  hall. 
She  vehemently  denounced  him,  related  how  sorely  he  had  failed 
in  his  duty,  and  cursed  him,  as  the  gate  keeper  had  done,  for  his 
lack  of  sympathy.  Thus  reminded  of  his  dereliction,  Parzival 
immediately  left  the  hall,  to  renew  the  quest  which  had  already 
lasted  for  many  months.  He  was  closely  followed  by  Gawain, 
one  of  Arthur's  knights,  who  thought  that  Parzival  had  been  too 
harshly  dealt  with. 

Four  years  now  elapsed,  —  four  years  of  penance  and  suffering 

for  Parzival,  and  of  brilliant  fighting  and  thrilling  adventures  for 

Gawain.     Seeking  Parzival,  meeting  many  whom 

Gawain's  quest.     ,,,,,,  ■.    r  ^    r^  •      • 

he  had  helped  or  defeated,  Gawam  journeyed  from 
land  to  land,  until  at  last  he  decided  that  his  quest  would  end 
s(K)ner  if  he  too  sought  the  Holy  Grail,  the  goal  of  all  his  friend's 
hopes. 


rirrREi.  axd  r///:  iioi.v  c.RAri..  197 

On  the  way  to  Montsalvatch  Gawain  met  a  beautiful  woman, 
to  whom  he  made  a  declaration  of  love  ;  but  she  merely  answered 
that  those  who  loved  her  must  serve  her,  and  bade  him  fetch  her 
palfrey  from  a  neighboring  garden.  'J'he  gardener  told  him  that 
this  lady  was  the  Duchess  Orgueilleuse  ;  that  her  beauty  had  fired 
many  a  knight ;  that  many  had  died  for  her  sake ;  and  that  Am- 
fortas,  King  of  the  Holy  Grail,  had  braved  the  poisoned  spear 
which  wounded  him,  only  to  win  her  favor.  Gawain,  undeterred 
by  this  warning,  brought  out  the  lady's  palfrey,  helped  her  to  mount, 
and  followed  her  submissively  through  many  lands.  Everywhere 
they  went  the  proud  lady  stirred  up  some  quarrel,  and  always 
called  upon  Gawain  to  fight  the  enemies  whom  she  had  thus  wan- 
tonly made.  After  much  wandering,  Gawain  and  his  ladylove 
reached  the  top  of  a  hill,  whence  they  could  look  across  a  valley 
to  a  gigantic  castle,  perched  on  a  rock,  near  which  was  a  pine 
tree.  Orgueilleuse  now  informed  Gawain  that  the  castle  belonged 
to  her  mortal  enemy,  Gramoflaus.  She  bade  him  bring  her  a  twig 
of  the  tree,  and  conquer  the  owner  of  the  castle,  who  would  chal- 
lenge him  as  soon  as  he  touched  it,  and  promised  that  if  he 
obeyed  her  exactly  she  would  be  his  faithful  wife. 

Gawain,  emboldened  by  this  promise,  dashed  down  into  the 
valley,  swam  across  the  moat,  plucked  a  branch  from  the  tree,  and 
accepted  the  challenge  which  Gramoflaus  promptly       Kiingsor's 
offered.     The  meeting   was   appointed   for  eight  castle, 

days  later,  in  front  of  Kiingsor's  castle,  whither  Gawain  imme- 
diately proceeded  with  the  Lady  Orgueilleuse.  On  the  Avay  she 
told  him  that  this  castle,  which  faced  her  father's,  was  occupied 
by  a  magician  who  kept  many  noble  ladies  in  close  confinement, 
and  had  even  cruelly  laden  them  with  heavy  chains. 

Gawain,  on  hearing  this,  vowed  that  he  would  punish  the  ma- 
gician ;  and,  having  seen  Orgueilleuse  safely  enter  her  ancestral 
home,  he  crossed  the  river  and  rode  toward  Kiingsor's  castle.  As 
night  drew  on  the  windows  were  brilliantly  illumined,  and  at  each 
one  he  beheld  the  pallid,  tear-stained  faces  of  some  of  the  captives, 
whose  years  ranged  from  early  childhood  to  withered  old  age. 


19^  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

Calling  for  admittance  at  this  castle,  Gawain  was  allowed  to 
enter,  but,  to  his  surprise,  found  hall  and  court  deserted.  He 
wandered  from  room  to  room,  meeting  no  one ;  and,  weary  of  his 
vain  search,  prepared  at  last  to  occupy  a  comfortable  couch  in 
one  of  the  chambers.  To  his  utter  amazement,  however,  the  bed 
retreated  as  he  advanced,  until,  impatient  at  this  trickery,  he  sprang 
boldly  upon  it.  A  moment  later  a  rain  of  sharp  spears  and  dag- 
gers fell  upon  his  couch,  but  did  him  no  harm,  for  he  had  not  re- 
moved his  heavy  armor.  When  the  rain  of  weapons  was  over,  a 
gigantic  peasant,  armed  with  a  huge  club,  stalked  into  the  room, 
closely  followed  by  a  fierce  lion.  When  the  peasant  perceived 
that  the  knight  was  not  dead,  as  he  expected,  he  beat  a  hasty  re- 
treat, leaving  the  lion  to  attack  him  alone. 

In  spite  of  the  size  and  fury  of  the  lion,  Gawain  defended  him- 
self so  bravely  that  he  finally  slew  the  beast,  which  was  Klingsor 
in  disguise.  As  the  monster  expired  the  spell  was  broken,  the 
captives  were  released,  and  the  exhausted  Gawain  was  tenderly 
cared  for  by  his  mother  and  sister  Itonie,  who  were  among  those 
whom  his  courage  had  set  free.  The  news  of  this  victory  was 
immediately  sent  to  Arthur,  who  now  came  to  witness  the  battle 
between  Gawain  and  a  champion  who  was  to  appear  for  Gramo- 
flaus. 

Gawain's  strength  and  courage  were  about  to  give  way  before 
the  stranger's  terrible  onslaught,  when  Itonie  implored  the  latter 
to  spare  Gawain,  whose  name  and  valor  were  so  well  known.  At 
the  sound  of  this  name  the  knight  sheathed  his  sword,  and,  raising 
his  visor,  revealed  the  sad  but  beautiful  countenance  of  Parzival. 

The  joy  of  reunion  over,  Parzival  remained  there  long  enough 
to  witness  the  marriage  of  Gawain  and  Orgueilleuse,  and  of  Itonie 
and  Gramoflaus,  and  to  be  solemnly  admitted  to  the  Round  Table. 
Still,  the  general  rejoicing  could  not  dispel  his  sadness  or  the 
recollection  of  Amfortas  and  his  grievous  wound  ;  and  as  soon  as 
possible  Parzival  again  departed,  humbly  praying  that  he  might 
at  last  find  the  Holy  Grail,  and  right  the  wrong  he  had  uncon- 
sciously done. 


TITUREL   AND    THE   HOLY  GRAIL.  199 

Some  months  later,  exhausted  by  constant  journeys,  Parzival 
painfully  dragged  himself  to  a  hermit's  hut.  There  he  learned 
that  the  lonely  penitent  was  Trevrezent,  the  brother  Parzivai  and  the 
of  Amfortas,  who,  having  also  preferred  worldly  hermit, 
pleasures  to  the  service  of  the  Holy  Grail,  had  accompanied  him 
on  his  fatal  excursion.  When  Trevrezent  saw  his  brother  sorely 
wounded,  he  repented  of  his  sins,  and,  retiring  into  the  woods,  spent 
his  days  and  nights  in  penance  and  prayer.  He  told  Parzival  ol 
the  expected  stranger,  whose  question  would  break  the  evil  spell, 
and  related  how  grievously  he  and  all  the  Templars  had  been  dis- 
appointed when  such  a  man  had  actually  come  and  gone,  but  with- 
out fulfiUing  their  hopes.  Parzival  then  penitently  confessed  that 
it  was  he  who  had  thus  disappointed  them,  related  his  sorrow  and 
ceaseless  quest,  and  told  the  story  of  his  early  youth  and  adven- 
tures. Trevrezent,  on  hearing  his  guest's  name,  exclaimed  that 
they  must  be  uncle  and  nephew,  as  his  sister's  name  was  Herze- 
loide.  He  then  informed  Parzival  of  his  mother's  death,  and, 
after  blessing  him  and  giving  him  some  hope  that  sincere  repent- 
ance would  sometime  bring  its  own  reward,  allowed  him  to  con- 
tinue his  search  for  the  Holy  Grail. 

Soon  after  this  meeting  Parzival  encountered  a  knight,  who, 
laying  lance  in  rest,  challenged  him  to  fight.  In  one  of  the  pauses 
of  the  battle  he  learned  that  his  brave  opponent 

Fierefiss. 

was  his   stepbrother,  Fierefiss,  whom  he  joyfully 
embraced,  and  who  now  followed  him  on  his  almost  endless  quest. 
At  last  they  came  to  a  mountain,  painfully  chmbed  its  steep  side, 
and,  after  much  exertion,  found  themselves  in  front  of  a  castle, 
which  seemed  strangely  familiar  to  Parzival, 

The  doors  opened,  willing  squires  waited  upon  both  brothers, 
and  led  them  into  the  great  hall,  where  the  pageant  already  de- 
scribed was  repeated.  When  Queen  Repanse  de  Joie  entered 
bearing  the  Holy  Grail,  Parzival,  mindful  of  his  former  failure  to 
do  the  right  thing,  humbly  prayed  aloud  for  divine  guidance  to 
bring  about  the  promised  redemption.  An  angel  voice  now  seemed 
to  answer,  "  Ask !  "   Then  Parzival  bent  kindly  over  the  wounded 


2  00        LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

king,  and  gently  inquired  what  ailed  him.  At  those  words  the 
spell  was  broken,  and  a  long  cry  of  joy  arose  as  Amfortas,  strong 
and  well,  sprang  to  his  feet. 

A  very  aged  man,  Parzival's  great-grandfather,  Titurel,  now 
drew  near,  bearing  the  crown,  which  he  placed  on  the  young  hero's 
head,  as  he  hailed  him  as  guardian  and  defender  of  the  Holy 
Grail.  This  cry  was  taken  up  by  all  present,  and  even  echoed  by 
the  angelic  choir. 


'e>^ 


*' '  Hail  to  thee,  Percival,  king  of  the  Grail ! 
Seemingly  lost  forever, 
Now  thou  art  blessed  forever. 
Hail  to  thee,  Percival,  king  of  the  Grail ! '  " 

Wolfram  von  Eschenbach  (McDowall's  tr.). 

The  doors  now  opened  wide  once  more  to  admit  Conduira- 
mour  and  her  twin  sons,  summoned  thither  by  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Grail,  that  Parzival's  happiness  might  be  complete.  All  the 
witnesses  of  this  happy  reunion  were  flooded  with  the  hght  of  the 
Holy  Grail,  except  Fierefiss,  who,  being  a  Moor  and  a  pagan,  still 
remained  in  outer  darkness.  These  miracles,  however,  converted 
him  to  the  Christian  faith,  and  made  him  beg  for  immediate  bap- 
tism. The  christening  was  no  sooner  performed  than  he  too  be- 
held and  was  illumined  by  the  holy  vase.  Fierefiss,  now  a  true 
behever,  married  Repanse  de  Joie,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
a  son  named  John,  who  became  a  noted  warrior,  and  was  the 
founder  of  the  historic  order  of  the  Knights  Templars. 

Titurel,  having  lived  to  see  the  recovery  of  his  son,  blessed  all 
his  descendants,  told  them  that  Sigune  had  joined  her  lover's 
spirit  in  the  heavenly  abode,  and,  passing  out  of  the  great  hall, 
was  never  seen  again  ;  and  the  witch  Kundrie  died  of  joy. 

Another  version  of  the  legend  of  the  Holy  Grail  relates  that 
Parzival,  having  cured  his  uncle,  went  to  Arthur's  court.  There 
he  remained  until  Amfortas  died,  when  he  was  called  back  to 
Montsalvatch  to  inherit  his  possessions,  among  which  was  the 
Holy  (Jrail.    Arthur  and  all  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table  were 


TITUREL   AND    THE  HOLY  GRAIL.  201 

present  at  his  coronation,  and  paid  him  a  yearly  visit.  When  he 
died,  "  the  Sangi-eal,  the  sacred  lance,  and  the  silver  trencher  or 
paten  which  covered  the  Grail,  were  carried  up  to  the  holy  heav- 
ens in  presence  of  the  attendants,  and  since  that  time  have  never 
anywhere  been  seen  on  earth." 

Other  versions  relate  that  Arthur  and  his  knights  sought  the 
Holy  Grail  in  vain,  for  their  hearts  were  not  pure  enough  to  be- 
hold it.  Still  others  declare  that  the  sacred  vessel  was  conveyed 
to  the  far  East,  and  committed  to  the  care  of  Prester  John. 

The  legend  of  Lohengrin,  which  is  connected  with  the  Holy 
Grail,  is  in  outline  as  follows : 

Parzival  and  Conduiramour  dwelt  in  the  castle  of  the  Holy 
Grail.    When  their  sons  had  grown  to  man's  estate,  Kardeiss,  the 
elder,  became  ruler  of  his  mother's  kingdom  of  Bel- 
ripar,  while  Lohengrin,  the  younger,  remained  in  ng"n. 

the  service  of  the  Holy  Grail,  which  was  now  borne  into  the  hall 
by  his  young  sister,  Aribadale,  Repanse  de  Joie  having  married. 

Whenever  a  danger  threatened,  or  when  the  services  of  one  of 
the  knights  were  required,  a  silver  bell  rang  loudly,  and  the  letters 
of  flame  around  the  rim  of  the  holy  vessel  revealed  the  nature  of 
the  deed  to  be  performed.  One  day  the  sound  of  the  silvery  bell 
was  heard  pealing  ever  louder  and  louder,  and  when  the  knights 
entered  the  hall,  they  read  on  the  vase  that  Lohengrin  had  been 
chosen  to  defend  the  rights  of  an  innocent  person,  and  would 
be  conveyed  to  his  destination  by  a  swan.  As  the  knights  of 
the  Grail  never  disputed  its  commands,  the  young  man  immedi- 
ately donned  the  armor  of  silver  which  Amfortas  had  worn,  and, 
bidding  farewell  to  his  mother  and  sister,  left  the  temple.  Par- 
zival, his  father,  accompanied  him  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain, 
where,  swimming  gracefully  over  the  smooth  waters  of  the  lake, 
they  saw  a  snowy  swan  drawing  a  little  boat  after  her. 

Lohengrin  received  a  horn  from  his  father,  who  bade  him 
sound  it  thrice  on  arriving  at  his  destination,  and  an  equal  num- 
ber of  times  when  he  wished  to  return  to  Montsalvatch.  Then 
he  also  reminded  him  that  a  servant  of  the  Grail  must  reveal 


20  2  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

neither  his  name  nor  his  origin  unless  asked  to  do  so,  and  that, 
having  once  made  himself  known,  he  was  bound  to  return  with- 
out delay  to  the  holy  mountain. 

Thus  reminded  of  the  custom  of  all  the  Templars,  Lohengrin 
sprang  into  the  boat,  and  was  rapidly  borne  away,  to  the  sound 
of  mysterious  music. 

While  Lohengrin  was  swiftly  wafted   over  the  waters,  Else, 

Duchess  of  Brabant,  spent  her  days  in  tears.    She  was  an  orphan, 

and,  as  she  possessed  great  wealth  and  extensive 

Else  of  Brabant. 

lands,  many  were  anxious  to  secure  her  hand. 
Among  these  suitors  her  guardian,  Frederick  of  Telramund,  was 
the  most  importunate ;  and  when  he  saw  that  she  would  never 
consent  to  marry  him,  he  resolved  to  obtain  her  inheritance  in  a 
different  way. 

One  day,  while  Else  was  wandering  alone  in  the  forest,  she 
rested  for  a  moment  under  a  tree,  where  she  dreamed  that  a  radi- 
ant knight  came  to  greet  her,  and  offered  her  a  little  bell,  saying 
that  she  need  but  ring  it  whenever  she  required  a  champion.  The 
maiden  awoke,  and  as  she  opened  her  eyes  a  falcon  came  gently 
saihng  down  from  the  sky  and  perched  upon  her  shoulder.  See- 
ing that  he  wore  a  tiny  bell  like  the  one  she  had  noticed  in  her 
dream,  Else  unfastened  it ;  and  as  the  falcon  flew  away,  she  hung 
it  on  her  rosary. 

A  few  days  later  Else  was  in  prison,  for  Frederick  of  Telramund 
had  accused  her  of  a  great  crime.  He  said  that  she  had  received 
the  attentions  of  a  man  beneath  her,  or,  according  to  another 
version,  that  she  had  been  guilty  of  the  murder  of  her  brother. 
Henry  the  Fowler,  Emperor  of  Germany,  hearing  of  this  accusa- 
tion, came  to  Cleves,  where,  as  the  witnesses  could  not  agree,  he 
ordered  that  the  matter  should  be  settled  by  a  judicial  duel. 

Frederick  of  Telramund,  proud  of  his  strength,  challenged  any 
man  to  prove  him  mistaken  at  the  point  of  the  sword.  But  no 
champion  appeared  to  fight  for  Else,  who,  kneeling  in  her  cell, 
beat  her  breast  with  her  rosary,  until  the  little  silver  bell  attached 
to  it  rang  loudly  as  she  fervently  prayed,  "  O  Lord,  send  me  a 


A  R  K I VA  L     ()  F     LO  H  E  N  GR I N.  -  Pixis. 


{0/,iJ  p.  203.) 


riTUREL  AND    THE  HOLY  GRAIL.  203 

champion."  The  faint  tinkhng  of  the  bell  floated  out  of  the  win- 
dow, and  was  wafted  away  to  Montsalvatch.  It  grew  louder  and 
louder  the  farther  it  traveled,  and  its  sound  called  the  knights 
into  the  temple,  where  Lohengrin  received  his  orders  from  the 
Holy  Grail. 

The  day  appointed  for  the  duel  dawned,  and  just  as  the  heralds 
sounded  the  last  call  for  Else's  champion  to  appear,  the  swan 
boat  ghded  up  the  Rhine,  and  Lohengrin  sprang  into  the  lists, 
after  thrice  blowing  his  magic  horn.  ' 

With  a  God-sent  champion  opposed  to  a  Har,  the  issue  of  the 
combat  could  not  long  remain  doubtful.  Soon  Frederick  of  Tel- 
ramund  lay  in  the  dust  and  confessed  his  guilt,  Else  rescued  by 
while  the  people  hailed  the  Swan  Knight  as  victor.  Lohengrin. 
Else,  touched  by  his  prompt  response  to  her  appeal,  and  won  by 
his  passionate  wooing,  then  consented  to  become  his  wife,  with- 
out even  knowing  his  name.  Their  nuptials  were  celebrated  at 
Antwerp,  whither  the  emperor  went  with  them  and  witnessed  their 
marriage. 

Lohengrin  had  cautioned  Else  that  she  must  never  ask  his 
name  ;  but  she  wished  to  show  that  he  was  above  the  people  who, 
envying  his  lot,  sought  to  injure  him  by  circulating  mahcious 
rumors,  so  she  finally  asked  the  fatal  question.  Regretfully  Lo- 
hengrin led  her  into  the  great  hall,  where,  in  the  presence  of  the 
assembled  knights,  he  told  her  that  he  was  Lohengrin,  son  of 
Parzival,  the  guardian  of  tlie  Holy  Grail.  Then,  embracing  her 
tenderly,  he  told  her  that  "  love  cannot  live  without  faith,"  and 
that  he  must  now  leave  her  and  return  to  the  holy  mountain. 
When  he  had  thrice  blown  his  magic  horn,  the  sound  of  faint  mu- 
sic again  heralded  the  approach  of  the  swan ;  Lohengrin  sprang 
into  the  boat,  and  soon  vanished,  leaving  Else  alone. 

Some  versions  of  the  story  relate  that  she  did  not  long  survive 
his  departure,  but  that  her  released  spirit  followed  him  to  Mont- 
salvatch, where  they  dwelt  happy  forever.  Other  accounts,  how- 
ever, aver  that  when  Lohengrin  vanished  Else's  brother  returned 
to  champion  her  cause  and  prevent  her  ever  being  molested  again. 


CHAPTER   XII. 


MERLIN. 


As  Saintsbury  so  ably  expressed  it,  "  The  origin  of  the  legends 
of  King  Arthur,  of  the  Round  Table,  of  the  Holy  Grail,  and  of 
all  the  adventures  and  traditions  connected  with  these  centers,  is 
one  of  the  most  intricate  questions  in  the  history  of  mediseval 
literature."  Owing  to  the  loss  of  many  ancient  manuscripts,  the 
real  origin  of  all  these  tales  may  never  be  discovered ;  and  whether 
the  legends  owe  their  birth  to  Celtic,  Breton,  or  Welsh  poetry  we 
may  never  know,  as  the  authorities  fail  to  agree.  These  tales, 
apparendy  almost  unknown  before  the  twelfth  century,  soon  be- 
came so  popular  that  in  the  course  of  the  next  two  centuries  they 
had  given  birth  to  more  than  a  dozen  poems  and  prose  romances, 
whence  Malory  drew  the  materials  for  his  version  of  the  story 
of  King  Arthur.  Nennius,  GeoiTrey  of  Monmouth,  Walter  Map, 
Chrestien  de  Troyes,  Robert  de  Borron,  Gottfried  von  Strassburg, 
Wolfram  von  Eschenbach,  Hartmann  von  Aue,  Tennyson,  Mat- 
thew Arnold,  Swinburne,  and  Wagner  have  all  written  of  these 
legends  in  turn,  and  to  these  writers  we  owe  the  most  noted  ver- 
sions of  the  tales  forming  the  Arthurian  cycle.  They  include, 
besides  the  story  of  Arthur  himself,  an  account  of  Merlin,  of 
Lancelot,  of  Parzival,  of  the  love  of  Tristan  and  Iseult,  and  of  the 
quest  of  the  Holy  Grail. 

The  majority  of  these  works  were  written  in  French,  which  was 
the  court  language  of  England  in  the  mediaeval  ages;  but  the 
story  was  "  Englished  "  by  Malory  in  the   fourteenth  century. 

204 


^fl:RIJ.\'.  205 

In  every  European  language  there  are  versions  of  these  stories, 
which  interested  all  hearers  alike,  and  which  exerted  a  softening 
influence  upon  the  rude  customs  of  the  age,  "  communicated  a 
romantic  spirit  to  Hterature,"  and  taught  all  men  courtesy. 

The  first  of  these  romances  is  that  of  Merlin  the  enchanter,  in 
very  old  French,  ascribed  to  Robert  de  Borron.  The  following 
outline  of  the  story  is  modified  and  supplemented 

r  ^1  ^-^i  1     TVT      1-        •  -1  The  real  Merlin. 

from  Other  sources,  ihe  real  Merhn  is  said  to 
have  been  a  bard  of  the  fifth  century,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
served  the  British  chief  Ambrosius  Aurelianus,  and  then  King 
Arthur.  This  Merlin  lost  his  reason  after  the  battle  of  Solway 
Firth,  broke  his  sword,  and  retired  into  the  forest,  where  he  was 
soon  after  found  dead  by  a  river  bank. 

The  mythical  Merlin  had  a  more  exciting  and  interesting  career, 
however.  King  Constans,  who  drove  Hengist  from  England,  was 
the  father  of  three  sons,  —  Constantine,  Aurelius  Ambrosius,  and 
Uther  Pendragon.  When  dying  he  left  the  throne  to  his  eldest 
son,  Constantine,  who  chose  Vortigern  as  his  prime  minister. 
Shortly  after  Constantine's  accession,  Hengist  again  invaded  Eng- 
land, and  Constantine,  deserted  by  his  minister,  was  treacherously 
slain.  In  reward  for  his  defection  at  this  critical  moment,  Vorti- 
gern was  offered  the  crown,  which  he  accepted,  and  which  he 
hoped  to  retain,  although  Constans's  two  other  sons,  who,  accord- 
ing to  another  version  of  the  story,  were  called  Uther  and  Pen- 
dragon,  were  still  in  existence. 

To  defend  himself  against  any  army  which  might  try  to  deprive 
him  of  the  throne,  Vortigern  resolved  to  build  a  great  fortress  on 
the  Salisbury  plains.  But,  although  the  masons  worked  diligently 
])}■  day,  and  built  walls  wide  and  thick,  they  always  found  them 
overturned  in  the  morning.  The  astrologers,  when  consulted  in 
reference  to  this  strange  occurrence,  declared  that  the  \valls  would 
not  stand  until  the  ground  had  been  watered  with  the  blood  of  a 
child  who  could  claim  no  human  father. 

Five  years  previous  to  this  prediction,  the  demons,  seeing  that 
so  many  souls  escaped  them  owing  to  the  redemption  procured  by 


2o6  LEGENDS   OE   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

a  child  of  divine  origin,  thought  that  they  could  regain  lost  ground 
by  engendering  a  demon  child  upon  a  human  virgin.  A  beautiful, 
pious  maiden  was  chosen  for  this  purpose ;  and  as  she  daily  went 
to  confess  her  every  deed  and  thought  to  a  holy  man,  Blaise,  he 
soon  discovered  the  plot  of  the  demons,  and  resolved  to  frus- 
trate it. 

By  his  advice  the  girl,  instead  of  being  immediately  put  to 

death,  as  the  law  required,  was  locked  up  in  a  tower,  where  she 

.    ,    ,  ,         gave  birth   to  her  son.      Blaise,  the  priest,  more 

Birth  of  the         "  '  -i^  ' 

mythical  watchful  than  the  demons,  no  sooner  heard  of  the 
Merlin.  child's  birth  than  he  hastened  to  baptize  him,  giv- 
ing him  the  name  of  Merlin.  The  holy  rite  annulled  the  evil  pur- 
pose of  the  demons,  but,  owing  to  his  uncanny  origin,  the  child 
was  gifted  with  all  manner  of  strange  powers,  of  which  he  made 
use  on  sundry  occasions. 

"  To  him 
Great  light  from  God  gave  sight  of  all  things  dim, 
And  wisdom  of  all  wondrous  things,  to  say 
What  root  should  bear  what  fruit  of  night  or  day ; 
And  sovereign  speech  and  counsel  above  man  : 
Wherefore  his  youth  like  age  was  wise  and  wan, 
And  his  age  sorrowful  and  fain  to  sleep." 

Swinburne,  Tristratii  of  Lyonesse. 

The  child  thus  baptized  soon  gave  the  first  proof  of  his  mar- 
velous power ;  for,  when  his  mother  embraced  him  and  declared 
that  she  must  soon  die,  he  comforted  her  by  speaking  aloud  and 
promising  to  prove  her  innocent  of  all  crime.  The  trial  took 
place  soon  after  this  occurrence,  and  although  Merlin  was  but  a 
few  days  old,  he  sat  up  boldly  in  his  mother's  lap  and  spoke  so 
forcibly  to  the  judges  that  he  soon  secured  her  acquittal.  Once 
when  he  was  five  years  old,  while  playing  in  the  street,  he  saw 
the  messengers  of  Vortigern.  Warned  by  his  prophetic  instinct 
that  they  were  seeking  him,  he  ran  to  meet  them,  and  offered  to 
accompany  them  to  the  king.  On  the  way  thither  he  saw  a 
youth  buying  shoes,  and  laughed  aloud.    When  questioned  con- 


I 

I 
I 

I 


MERLIN.  '207 

cerning  the  cause  of  his  mirth,  he  predicted  that  the  youth  would 
die  within  a  few  hours. 

"  Then  said  Merlin,  '  See  ye  nought 
That  young  man,  that  hath  shoon  bought, 
And  strong  leather  to  do  hem  clout  [patch], 
And  grease  to  smear  hem  all  about  ? 
He  weeneth  to  live  hem  to  wear : 
But,  by  my  soul,  I  dare  well  swear, 
His  wretched  life  he  shall  for-let  [lose], 


Ere  he  come  to  his  own  gate.' " 


Ellis,  Merlin. 


A  few  more  predictions  of  an  equally  uncanny  and  unpleasant 
nature  firmly  established  his  reputation  as  a  prophet  even  before 
he  reached  court.  There  he  boldly  told  the  king  Merlin  as  a 
that  the  astrologers,  wishing  to  destroy  the  demon's  prophet, 
offspring,  who  was  wiser  than  they,  had  demanded  his  blood  under 
pretext  that  the  walls  of  Salisbury  would  stand  were  it  only  shed. 
When  asked  why  the  walls  continually  fell  during  the  night,  Merlin 
attributed  it  to  the  nightly  conflict  of  a  red  and  a  white  dragon 
concealed  underground.  In  obedience  to  his  instructions,  search 
was  made  for  these  monsters,  and  the  assembled  court  soon  saw 
a  frightful  struggle  between  them.  This  battle  finally  resulted  in 
the  death  of  the  red  dragon  and  the  triumph  of  the  white. 

"With  long  tailis,  fele  [many]  fold, 
And  found  right  as  Merlin  told. 
That  one  dragon  was  red  as  fire, 
With  eyen  bright,  as  basin  clear; 
His  tail  was  great  and  nothing  small; 
His  body  was  a  rood  withal. 
His  shaft  may  no  man  tell ; 
He  looked  as  a  fiend  from  hell. 
The  white  dragon  lay  him  by, 
Stern  of  look,  and  griesly. 
His  mouth  and  throat  yawned  wide ; 
The  fire  brast  [burst]  out  on  ilka  [each]  side. 
His  tail  was  ragged  as  a  fiend, 
And,  upon  his  tail's  end. 


2o8  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

There  was  y-shaped  a  griesly  head, 
To  fight  with  the  dragon  red." 

Ellis,  Merlin. 

The  white  dragon  soon  disappeared  also,  and  the  work  of  the 
castle  now  proceeded  without  further  hindrance.  Vortigern,  how- 
ever, was  very  uneasy,  because  Merlin  had  not  only  said  that  the 
struggle  of  the  red  and  the  white  dragon  represented  his  coming 
conflict  with  Conslans's  sons,  but  further  added  that  he  would 
suffer  defeat.  This  prediction  was  soon  fulillled.  Uther  and 
his  brother  Pendragon  landed  in  Britain  with  the  army  they  had 
assembled,  and  Vortigern  was  burned  in  the  castle  he  had  just 
completed. 

Shortly  after  this  victory  a  war  arose  between  the  Britons  under 
Uther  and  Pendragon,  and  the  Saxons  under  Hengist.  Merhn, 
who  had  by  this  time  become  the  prime  minister  and  chief  adviser 
of  the  British  kings,  predicted  that  they  would  win  the  victory, 
but  that  one  would  be  slain.  This  prediction  was  soon  verified, 
and  Uther,  adding  his  brother's  name  to  his  own,  remained  sole 
king.  His  first  care  was  to  bury  his  brother,  and  he  implored 
Merlin  to  erect  a  suitable  monument  to  his  memory ;  so  the  en- 
chanter conveyed  great  stones  from  Ireland  to  England  in  the 
course  of  a  single  night,  and  set  them  up  at  Stonehenge,  where 
they  can  still  be  seen. 

"  How  Merlin  by  his  skill,  and  magic's  wondrous  might. 
From  Ireland  hither  brought  the  Stonendge  in  a  night." 

Drayton,  Polyolbioii. 

Proceeding  now  to  Carduel  (Carlisle),  Merlin,  who  is  repre- 
sented as  a  great  architect  and  wonder-worker,  built  Uther  Pen- 
,  ^  ^,       dragon  a  beautiful  castle,  and  established  the  Round 

Round  Table  ° 

established  by    Tal)le,  in  imitation  of  the  one  which  Joseph  of  An- 

'^^'■''"-         mathea  had  once  instituted.    There  were  places  for 

a  large  number  of  knights  around  this  board  (the  number  varying 

greatly  with  different  writers),  and  a  special  place  was  reserved  for 

the  Holy  Grail,  which,  having  vanished  from  Britain  because  of  the 


MERLIN.  209 

sinfulness  of  the  people,  the  knights  still  hoped  to  have  restored 
when  they  became  sufficiently  piure. 

"  This  table  gan  [began]  Uther  the  wight ; 
Ac  [but]  it  to  ende  had  he  no  might. 
For,  theygh  [though]  alle  the  kinges  under  our  lord 
Hadde  y-sitten  [sat]  at  that  bord, 
Knight  by  knight,  ich  you  telle, 
The  table  might  nought  fulfille, 
Till  they  were  born  that  should  do  all 
Fulfill  the  mervaile  of  the  Greal." 

Ellis,  Merlin. 

A  great  festival  was  announced  for  the  institution  of  the  Round 
Table,  and  all  the  knights  came  to  Carduel,  accompanied  by  their 
wives.  Among  the  latter  the  fairest  was  Yguerne,  wife  of  Gorlois, 
Lord  of  Tintagel  in  Cornwall,  and  with  her  Uther  fell  desperately 
in  love. 

*'  This  fest  was  noble  ynow,  and  nobliche  y-do  [done] ; 

For  mony  was  the  faire  ledy,  that  y-come  was  thereto. 

Yguerne,  Gorloys  wyf,  was  fairest  of  echon  [each  one], 

That  was  contasse  of  Cornewail,  for  so  fair  was  there  non." 

Robert  of  Gloucester. 

Yguerne  had  already  three  or  four  daughters,  famous  in  the 
Arthurian  legends  as  mothers  of  the  knights  Gawain,  Gravain, 
Ywain,  and  others.  One  of  the  king's  councilors,  Ulfin,  revealed 
the  king's  passion  to  Yguerne,  and  she  told  her  husband.  Indig- 
nant at  the  insult  offered  him,  Gorlois  promptly  left  court,  locked 
his  wife  up  in  the  impregnable  fortress  of  Tintagel,  and,  gathering 
together  an  army,  began  to  fight  against  Uther  Pendragon. 

The  day  before  the  battle.  Merlin  changed  Uther  into  the  form 
of  Gorlois,  and  himself  and  Ulfin  into  those  of  the  squires  of  the 
Duke  of  Cornwall.  Thus  disguised,  the  three  went  to  Tintagel, 
where  Yguerne  threw  the  gates  open  at  their  call  and  received 
Uther  as  her  husband,  without  suspecting  the  deception  practiced 
upon  her. 

14 


2IO  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

On   the  morrow  the  battle   took  place.     Gorlois  was  slain. 

Shortly  after,  Uther  married  Yguerne,  who  never  suspected  that 

the  child  which  was  soon  born,  and  which  Uther 

Birth  of  Arthur.    .  t,  /-iitv«-i-  r 

immediately  confided  to  Merlin,  was  not  a  son  of 
Gorlois.  Arthur,  the  child  who  had  thus  come  into  the  world, 
was  intrusted  to  the  care  of  Sir  Hector,  who  brought  him  up  with 
his  own  son,  Sir  Kay,  little  suspecting  his  royal  descent.  This 
child  grew  up  rapidly,  and  when  but  fifteen  years  of  age  was  hand- 
some, accomplished,  and  dearly  loved  by  all  around  him. 

"He  was  fair,  and  well  agre  [agreeable], 
And  was  a  thild  [child]  of  gret  noblay. 
He  was  curteys,  faire  and  gent. 
And  wight  [brave],  and  hardi,  veramen  [truly]. 
Curteyslich  [courteously]  and  fair  he  spac  [spake]. 
With  him  was  none  evil  lack  [fault]." 

Ellis,  Merlin. 

When  Uther  died  without  leaving  any  heir,  there  was  an  in- 
terregnum, for  Merlin  had  promised  that  the  true  king  should 
be  revealed  by  a  miracle.  This  prophecy  was  duly  fulfilled,  as 
will  be  shown  hereafter.  Merhn  became  the  royal  adviser  as  soon 
as  Arthur  ascended  the  throne,  helped  him  win  signal  victories 
over  twelve  kings,  and  in  the  course  of  a  single  night  conveyed 
armies  over  from  France  to  help  him. 

As  Merlin  could  assume  any  shape  he  pleased,  Arthur  often 
used  him  as  messenger ;  and  one  of  the  romances  relates  that  the 
magician,  in  the  guise  of  a  stag,  once  went  to  Rome  to  bear  the 
king's  challenge  to  Julius  Caesar  (not  the  conqueror  of  Gaul  but 
the  mythical  father  of  Oberon)  to  single  combat.  Merlin  was 
also  renowned  for  the  good  advice  which  he  gave,  not  only  to 
Vortigern  and  Uther  Pendragon,  but  also  to  Arthur,  and  for  his 
numerous  predictions  concerning  the  glorious  future  of  England, 
all  of  which,  if  we  are  to  believe  tradition,  have  been  fulfilled. 

*'  O  goodly  River  !  near  unto  thy  sacred  spring 
Prophetic  Merlin  sate,  when  to  the  British  King 
The  changes  long  to  come,  auspiciously  he  told." 

Drayton,  Polyolbion. 


MERLIX.  211 

Merlin  also  won  great  renown  as  a  builder  and  arcliitect.     Be- 
sides the  construction  of  Stonehenge,  and  of  the  castle  for  Uther 
Pendragon,  he  is  said  to  have  built  Arthur's  beau- 
tiful palace  at  Camelot.     He  also  devised  sundry        cam"o^! 
magic  fountains,  which  are  mentioned  in  other  me- 
diaeval romances.     One  of  these  is  referred  to  by  Spenser  in  the 
"  Faerie  Queene,"  and  another  by  Ariosto  in  his  "  Orlando  Furioso. " 

"  This  Spring  was  one  of  those  four  fountains  rare, 
Of  those  in  France  produced  by  Merlin's  sleight, 
Encompassed  round  about  with  marble  fair, 
Shining  and  polished,  and  than  milk  more  white. 
There  in  the  stones  choice  figures  chiseled  were. 
By  that  magician's  god-like  labour  dight ; 
Some  voice  was  wanting,  these  you  might  have  thought 
Were  Hving,  and  with  nerve  and  spirit  fraught." 

Ariosto,  Oriain/o  /^ttrioso  (Rose' s  tr.). 

Merhn  was  also  supposed  to  have  made  all  kinds  of  magic  ob- 
jects, among  which  the  poets  often  mention  a  cup.  This  would 
reveal  whether  the  drinker  had  led  a  pure  life,  for  it  always  over- 
flowed when  touched  by  polluted  lips.  He  was  also  the  artificer 
of  Arthur's  armor,  which  no  weapon  could  pierce,  and  of  a  magic 
mirror  in  which  one  could  see  whatever  one  wished. 

*'  It  Merlin  was,  which  whylome  did  excel 
All  living  wightes  in  might  of  magicke  spell : 
Both  shield,  and  sword,  and  armour  all  he  wrought 
For  this  young  Prince,  when  first  to  armes  he  fell." 

Spenser,  Fae7-ie  Qiicenc. 

Merlin,  in  spite  of  all  his  knowledge  and  skill,  yielded  often  to 
the  entreaties  of  his  fair  mistress,  Vivian,  the  Lady  of  the  Lake. 
She  followed  him  wherever  he  went,  and  made  Merlin  and 
countless  efforts  to  learn  all  his  arts  and  to  dis-  Vivian, 
cover  all  his  magic  spells.  In  order  to  beguile  the  aged  Merlin 
into  telling  her  all  she  wished  to  know,  Vivian  pretended  great 
devotion,  which  is  admirably  related  in  Tennyson's  "  Idylls  of  the 
King,"  one  of  which  treats  exclusively  of  Merlin  and  Vivian. 


212  LEGENDS   OF    TlIK   MIDDLE  AGES. 

This  enchantress  even  went  with  him  to  the  fairy-haunted  forest 
of  Brocehande,  in  Brittany,  where  she  finally  beguiled  him  into 
reveahng  a  magic  spell  whereby  a  human  being  could  be  inclosed 
in  a  hawthorn  tree,  where  he  must  dwell  forever. 

"  And  then  she  foUow'd  MerUn  all  the  way, 
E'en  to  the  wild  woods  of  Broceliande. 
For  Merlin  once  had  told  her  of  a  charm, 
The  which  if  any  wrought  on  any  one 
With  woven  paces  and  with  waving  arms, 
The  man  so  wrought  on  ever  seem'd  to  lie 
Closed  in  the  four  walls  of  a  hollow  tower, 
From  which  was  no  escape  for  evermore ; 
And  none  could  find  that  man  for  evermore, 
Nor  could  he  see  but  him  who  wrought  the  charm 
Coming  and  going ;  and  he  lay  as  dead 
And  lost  to  life  and  use  and  name  and  fame." 

Tennyson,  Merlin  and  Vivien. 

This  charm  having  been  duly  revealed,  the  Lady  of  the  Lake, 
weary  of  her  aged  lover,  and  wishing  to  rid  herself  of  him  for- 
ever now  that  she  had  learned  all  he  could  teach  her,  lured  him 
into  the  depths  of  the  forest.  There,  by  aid  of  the  spell,  she  im- 
prisoned him  in  a  thorn  bush,  whence,  if  the  tales  of  the  Breton 
peasants  can  be  believed,  his  voice  can  be  heard  to  issue  from 
time  to  time. 

"  They  sate  them  down  together,  and  a  sleep 
Fell  upon  Merlin,  more  like  death,  so  deep. 
Her  finger  on  her  lips,  then  Vivian  rose, 
And  from  her  browndock'd  head  the  wimple  throws, 
And  takes  it  in  her  hand,  and  waves  it  over 
The  blossom'd  thorn  tree  and  her  sleeping  lover. 
Nine  times  she  waved  the  fluttering  wimple  round, 
And  made  a  little  plot  of  magic  ground. 
And  in  that  daised  circle,  as  men  say, 
Is  Merlin  prisoner  till  the  judgment  day  ; 
But  she  herself  whither  she  will  can  rove  — 
For  she  was  passing  weary  of  his  love." 

MAiiHiiw  AiiNOLU,  Tristram  and  Iseiili. 


(Opp, p.  212.) 


THE    BEGUILING     OF     MERLIN. —Uumc-Jones. 


mrrun:  2  1 3 

According  to  another  version  of  the  tale,  Merhn,  having  grown 
very  old  indeed,  once  sat  down  on  the  "  Siege  Perilous,"  forgetting 
that  none  but  a  sinless  man  could  occupy  it  with  impunity.  He 
was  immediately  swallowed  up  by  the  earth,  which  yawned  wide 
beneath  his  feet,  and  he  never  visited  the  earth  again. 

A  third  version  says  that  Vivian  through  love  imprisoned  Mer- 
lin in  an  underground  palace,  where  she  alone  could  visit  him. 
There  he  dwells,  unchanged  by  the  flight  of  time,  and  daily  in- 
creasing the  store  of  knowledge  for  which  he  was  noted. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 


THE     ROUND     TABLE. 


Fortunately  "  the  question  of  the  actual  existence  and  acts 
of  Arthur  has  very  Httle  to  do  with  the  question  of  the  origin 
of  the  Arthurian  cycle."  But  although  some  authorities  entirely 
deny  his  existence,  it  is  probable  that  he  was  a  Briton,  for  many 
places  in  Wales,  Scotland,  and  England  are  connected  with  his 
name. 

On  the  very  slightest  basis,  many  of  the  mediaeval  writers  con- 
structed long  and  fabulous  tales  about  this  hero.  Such  was  the 
popularity  of  the  Arthurian  legends  all  over  Europe  that  prose  ro- 
mances concerning  him  were  among  the  first  works  printed,  and 
were  thus  brought  into  general  circulation.  An  outline  of  the 
principal  adventures  of  Arthur  and  of  his  knights  is  given  here. 
It  has  been  taken  from  many  works,  whose  authors  will  often  be 
mentioned  as  we  proceed. 

King  Uther  Pendragon,  as  we  have  already  seen,  intrusted  his 
new-born  son,  Arthur,  to  the  care  of  the  enchanter  Merlin,  who 
carried  him  to  the  castle  of  Sir  Hector  (Anton),  where  the  young 
prince  was  brought  up  as  a  child  of  the  house. 

"Wherefore  Merlin  took  the  child, 
And  gave  him  to  Sir  Anton,  an  old  knight 
And  ancient  friend  of  Uther ;  and  his  wife 
Nursed  the  young  prince,  and  rear'd  him  with  her  own ; 
And  no  man  knew." 

Tennyson,   The  Coming  of  A  rihur. 

Two  years  later  King  Uther  Pendragon  died,  and  the  noble- 
men, not  knowing  whom  to  choose  as  his  successor,  consulted 

214 


THE  ROUND    TABLE.  215 

Merlin,  promising  to  abide  by  his  decision.    By  his  advice  they  all 
assembled  in  St.  Stephen's  Church,  in  London,  on  Christmas  Day. 
When  mass  was  over  they  beheld  a  large  stone      xhe  magic 
which  had  mysteriously  appeared  in  the  churchyard.  sword. 

This  stone  was  surmounted  by  a  ponderous  anvil,  in,  which  the 
blade  of  a  sword  was  deeply  sunk.  Drawing  near  to  examine 
the  wonder,  they  read  an  inscription  upon  the  jeweled  hilt,  to  the 
effect  that  none  but  the  man  who  could  draw  out  the  sword  should 
dare  to  take  possession  of  the  throne.  Of  course  all  present  im- 
mediately tried  to  accomplish  this  feat,  but  all  failed. 

Several  years  passed  by  ere  Sir  Hector  came  to  London  with 
his  son.  Sir  Kay,  and  his  foster  son,  young  Arthur.  Sir  Kay,  who, 
for  the  first  time  in  his  life,  was  to  take  part  in  a  toiu-nament,  was 
greatly  chagrined,  on  arriving  there,  to  discover  that  he  had  for- 
gotten his  sword ;  so  Arthur  volunteered  to  ride  back  and  get  it. 
He  found  the  house  closed;  yet,  being  determined  to  secure  a 
sword  for  his  foster  brother,  he  strode  hastily  into  the  churchyard, 
and  easily  drew  from  the  anvil  the  weapon  which  all  had  vainly 
tried  to  secure. 

This  mysterious  sword  was  handed  to  Sir  Kay,  and  Sir  Hector, 
perceiving  it,  and  knowing  whence  it  came,  immediately  inquired 
how  Arthur  had  secured  it.     He  even  refused  at    Arthur  made 
first  to  believe  the  evidence  of  his  own  eyes ;  but  ^'"B- 

when  he  and  all  the  principal  nobles  of  the  realm  had  seen  Arthur 
replace  and  draw  out  the  sword,  after  all  had  again  vainly  tried 
their  strength,  they  gladly  hailed  the  young  man  king. 

As  Merlin  was  an  enchanter,  it  was  popularly  rumored  that 
Arthur  was  not,  as  he  now  declared,  the  son  of  Uther  Pendrag- 
on  and  Yguerne,  but  a  babe  mysteriously  brought  up  from  the 
depths  of  the  sea,  on  the  crest  of  the  ninth  wave,  and  cast  ashore 
at  the  wizard's  feet.  Hence  many  people  distrusted  the  young 
king,  and  at  first  refused  to  obey  him. 

"  Watch'd  the  great  sea  fall, 
Wave  after  wave,  each  mightier  than  the  last, 
Till  last,  a  ninth  one,  gathering  half  the  deep, 


21 6  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

And  full  of  voices,  slowly  rose  and  plunged 

Roaring,  and  all  the  wave  was  in  a  flame : 

And  down  the  wave  and  in  the  flame  was  borne 

A  naked  babe,  and  rode  to  Merlin's  feet, 

Who  stoopt  and  caught  the  babe,  and  cried  'The  King  ! 

Here  is  an  heir  for  Uther  ! ' " 

Tennyson,   The  Counng  of  Arthur. 

Among  the  unbelievers  were  some  of  the  king's  own  kindred, 
and  notably  his  four  nephews,  Gawain,  Gaheris,  Agravaine,  and 
Gareth.  Arthur  was  therefore  obliged  to  make  war  against  them  ; 
but  although  Gawain's  strength  increased  in  a  truly  marvelous 
fashion  from  nine  to  twelve  in  the  morning,  and  from  three  to  six 
in  the  afternoon,  the  king  succeeded  in  defeating  him  by  follow- 
ing Merlin's  advice  and  taking  advantage  of  his  comparatively 
weak  moments. 

Arthur,  aided  by  Merlin,  ruled  over  the  land  wisely  and  well,  re- 
dressed many  wrongs,  reestablished  order  and  security,  which  a 
long  interregnum  had  destroyed,  and  brandished 

Sir  PeUinore.      ,  .  ,    .  ...  ,  .    ,     ,        .  .    ,  , 

his  sword  m  many  a  fight,  m  which  he  invariably 
proved  victor.  But  one  day,  having  drawn  his  blade  upon  Sir 
Pellinore,  who  did  not  deserve  to  be  thus  attacked,  it  suddenly 
failed  him  and  broke.  Left  thus  without  any  means  of  defense, 
the  king  would  surely  have  perished  had  not  Merlin  used  his 
magic  arts  to  put  Sir  Pellinore  to  sleep  and  to  bear  his  charge  to 
a  place  of  safety. 

Arthur,  thus  deprived  of  his  magic  sword,  bewailed  its  loss; 
but  while  he  stood  by  a  lake,  wondering  how  he  should  procure 
another,  he  beheld  a  white-draped  hand  and  arm  rise  out  of  the 
water,  holding  aloft  a  jeweled  sword  which  the  Lady  of  the  Lake, 
who  appeared  beside  him,  told  him  was  intended  for  his  use, 

"  '  Thou  rememberest  how 
In  those  old  days,  one  summer  noon,  an  arm 
Rose  up  from  out  the  bosom  of  the  lake, 
Clothed  in  white  samite,  mystic,  wonderful, 
Holding  the  sword  —  and  how  I  row'd  across 


THE   ROUND    TABLE.  217 

And  took  it,  and  have  worn  it,  like  a  king; 
And,  wheresoever  I  am  sung  or  told 
In  aftertime,  this  also  shall  be  known.' " 

Tennyson,  The  Passing  of  A  rtkur. 

Arthur  rowed  out  into  the  middle  of  the  lake  and  secured  the 
sword  which  is  known  by  the  name  Excalibur.  He  was  then 
told  bv  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  that  it  was  gifted  with 

•'  ^  1  J  Excalibur. 

magic  powers,  and  that  as  long  as  the  scabbard  re- 
mained in  his  possession  he  would  suffer  neither  wound  nor  defeat. 
Thus  armed,  Arthur  went  back  to  his  palace,  where,  hearing 
that  the  Saxons  had  again  invaded  the  country,  he  went  to  wage 
war  against  them,  and  won  many  victories.  Shortly  after  this 
Arthur  heard  that  Leodegraunce,  King  of  Scotland,  was  threat- 
ened by  his  brother  Ryance,  King  of  Ireland,  who  was  determined 
to  complete  a  mantle  furred  with  the  beards  of  kings,  and  wanted 
to  secure  one  more  at  any  price.  Arthur  hastened  to  this  mon- 
arch's assistance,  and  delivered  him  from  the  clutches  of  Ryance. 
He  not  only  killed  this  savage  monarch,  but  appropriated  his 
mantle  and  carried  it  away  in  triumph  as  a  trophy  of  the  war. 

"  And  for  a  trophy  brought  the  Giant's  coat  away 
Made  of  the  beards  of  Kings." 

Drayton,  Polyolbion. 

After  these  martial  exploits  Arthur  returned  to  the  court  of 
Leodegraunce,  where  he  fell  in  love  with  the  latter's  fair  daughter, 
Guinevere.     The  king  sued  successfiiUy  for  her        Arthur's 
hand,  but  Merlin  would  not  allow  him  to  marry    marriage  with 
this  princess  until  he  had  distinguished  himself  by 
a  campaign  in  Brittany.    The  wedding  was  then  celebrated  with 
true  mediaeval  pomp ;  and  Arthur,  having  received,  besides  the 
princess,  the  Round  Table  once  made  for  his  father,  conveyed  his 
bride  and  wedding  gift  to  Camelot  (Winchester),  where  he  bade 
all  his  court  be  present  for  a  great  feast  at  Pentecost. 

"  The  nearest  neighboring  flood  to  Arthur's  ancient  seat, 
Which  made  the  Britons'  name  through  all  the  world  so  great. 


2i8  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Like  Camelot,  what  place  was  ever  yet  renown'd  ? 

Where,  as  at  Carhon,  oft,  he  kept  the  Table-Round, 

Most  famous  for  the  sports  at  Pentecost  so  long, 

From  whence  all  knightly  deeds,  and  brave  achievements  sprong." 

Drayton,  Polyolbioti. 

Arthur  had  already  warred  successfully  against  twelve  revolted 
kings,  whose  remains  were  interred  at  Camelot  by  his  order. 
Knights  of  the  There  Merlin  erected  a  marvelous  castle,  contain- 
Round  Table,  j^g  ^  special  hall  for  the  reception  of  the  Round 
Table.  This  hall  was  adorned  with  the  lifehke  statues  of  all  the 
conquered  kings,  each  holding  a  burning  taper  which  the  magician 
declared  would  burn  brightly  until  the  Holy  Grail  should  appear. 
Hoping  to  bring  that  desirable  event  to  pass,  Arthur  bade  Merlin 
frame  laws  for  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table.  As  distinctive 
mark,  each  of  the  noblemen  admitted  to  a  seat  at  this  marvelous 
table  adopted  some  heraldic  device.  The  number  of  these 
knights  varies  from  twelve  to  several  hundred,  according  to  the 
different  poets  or  romancers. 

"  The  fellowshipp  of  the  Table  Round, 
Soe  famous  in  those  dayes  ; 
Whereatt  a  hundred  noble  knights 
And  thirty  sat  alwayes  ; 
Who  for  their  deeds  and  martiall  feates. 
As  bookes  done  yett  record, 
Amongst  all  other  nations 
Wer  feared  through  the  world." 

Legend  of  King  Artluir  (Old  Ballad). 

Merlin,  by  ^•irtue  of  his  magic  powers,  easily  selected  the  knights 
worthy  to  belong  to  this  noble  institution,  and  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury  duly  blessed  them  and  the  board  around  which  they 
sat.  All  the  places  Avere  soon  filled  except  two;  and  as  the 
knights  arose  from  their  seats  after  the  first  meal  they  noticed  that 
their  names  were  inscribed  in  letters  of  gold  in  the  places  they 
had  occupied.  But  one  of  the  empty  seats  was  marked  "  Siege 
Perilous,"  and  could  only  be  occupied  by  a  peerless  knight, 


THE   ROUND    TABLE.  219 

Among  all  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table,  Sir  Lancelot  du 
Lac,  who  is  the  hero  of  several  lengthy  poems  and  romances 
bearing  his  name,  was  the  most  popular.     Chres-     Lancelot  du 
tien   de  Troyes,   Geoffrey   de    Ligny,   Robert  de  ^^'^• 

Borron,  and  Map  have  all  written  about  him,  and  he  was  so  well 
known  that  his  name  was  given  to  one  of  the  knaves  on  the 
playing  cards  invented  at  about  this  time.  Malory,  in  his  prose 
version  of  the  "  Morte  d'Arthur,"  has  drawn  principally  from 
the  poems  treating  of  Lancelot,  whose  early  life  was  somewhat 
extraordinary,  too. 

Some  accounts  relate  that  Lancelot  was  the  son  of  King  Ban 
and  Helen.  When-he  was  but  a  babe,  his  parents  were  obliged 
to  flee  from  their  besieged  castle  in  Brittany.  Before  they  had 
gone  far,  the  aged  Ban,  seeing  his  home  in  flames,  sank  dying  to 
the  ground.  Helen,  eager  to  minister  to  her  husband,  laid  her 
baby  boy  down  on  the  grass  near  a  lake,  and  when  she  again 
turned  around,  she  saw  him  in  the  arms  of  Vivian,  the  Lady  of 
the  Lake,  who  plunged  with  him  into  the  waters. 

"  In  the  wife's  woe,  the  mother  was  forgot. 

At  last  (for  I  was  all  earth  held  of  him 
Who  had  been  all  to  her,  and  now  was  not) 

She  rose,  and  looked  with  tearless  eyes,  but  dim, 
In  the  babe's  face  the  father  still  to  see ; 
And  lo  !  the  babe  was  on  another's  knee ! 

"Another's  lips  had  kissed  it  into  sleep, 
And  o'er  the  sleep  another  watchful  smiled; 

The  Fairy  sate  beside  the  lake's  still  deep, 

And  hush'd  with  chaunted  charms  the  orphan  child  ! 

Scared  at  the  mother's  cry,  as  fleets  a  dream, 

Both  Child  and  Fairy  melt  into  the  stream." 

BuLWER  Lytton,  King  A  7-thitr. 

The  bereaved  wife  and  mother  now  sorrowfully  withdrew  into 
a  convent,  while  Lancelot  was  brought  up  in  the  palace  of  the 
Lady  of  the  Lake,  with  his  two  cousins,  Lyonel  and  Bohort.  Here 
he  remained  until  he  was  eighteen,  when  the  fairy  herself  brought 


2  20  LEGENDS    or    TI/E   MIDDLE   AGES. 

him  to  court  and  presented  him  to  the  king.  Arthur  then  and 
there  made  him  his  friend  and  confidant,  and  gave  him  an  hon- 
ored place  at  the  Round  Table.  He  was  warmly  welcomed  by  all 
the  other  knights  also,  whom  he  far  excelled  in  beauty  and  courage. 

"  But  one  Sir  Lancelot  du  Lake, 
Who  was  approved  well, 
He  for  his  deeds  and  feats  of  armes 
All  others  did  excell. " 

Sir  Laiicelot  du  Lake  (Old  Ballad). 

Lancelot,  however,  was  doomed  to  much  sorrow,  for  he  had 

no  sooner  beheld  Queen  Guinevere  than  he  fell  deeply  in  love 

Lancelot  and     with  her.     The  queen  fully  returned  his  affection, 

Guinevere.  granted  him  many  marks  of  her  favor,  and  encour- 
aged him  to  betray  his  friend  and  king  on  sundry  occasions,  which 
form  the  themes  of  various  episodes  in  the  romances  of  the  time. 
Lancelot,  urged  in  one  direction  by  passion,  in  another  by  loyalty, 
led  a  very  unhappy  life,  which  made  him  relapse  into  occasional 
fits  of  insanity,  during  which  he  roamed  aimlessly  about  for  many 
years.  When  restored  to  his  senses,  he  always  returned  to  court, 
where  he  accomplished  unheard-of  deeds  of  valor,  delivered  many 
maidens  in  distress,  righted  the  wrong  wherever  he  found  it,  won 
all  the  honors  at  the  tournaments,  and  ever  remained  faithful  in 
his  devotion  to  the  queen,  although  many  fair  ladies  tried  to  make 
him  forget  her. 

Some  of  the  poems,  anxious  to  vindicate  the  queen,  declare 
that  there  were  two  Guineveres,  one  pure,  lovely,  and  worthy  of 
all  admiration,  who  suffered  for  the  sins  of  the  other,  an  unprin- 
cipled woman.  When  Arthur  discovered  his  wife's  intrigue  with 
Lancelot,  he  sent  her  away,  and  Guinevere  took  refuge  with  her 
lover  in  Joyeuse  Garde  (Berwick),  a  castle  he  had  won  at  the 
point  of  his  lance  to  please  her.  But  the  king,  having  ascertained 
some  time  after  that  the  real  Guinevere  had  been  wrongfully  ac- 
cused, reinstated  her  in  his  favor,  and  Lancelot  again  returned 
to  court,  where  he  continued  to  love  and  serve  the  queen. 

On  one  occasion,  hearing  that  she  had  been  made  captive  by 


-1 


^_yy||jyjJL_^ 


■dnUMM^aaM 


* 


THE   ROUND    TABLE.  221 

Meleagans,  Lancelot  rushed  after  Guinevere  to  rescue  her,  tracing 
her  by  a  comb  and  ringlet  she  had  dropped  on  the  way.  His  horse 
was  taken  from  him  by  enchantment,  so  Lancelot,  in  order  sooner 
to  overtake  the  queen,  rode  on  in  a  cart.  This  was  considered  a 
disgraceful  mode  of  progress  for  a  knight,  as  a  nobleman  in  those 
days  was  condemned  to  ride  in  a  cart  in  punishment  for  crimes 
for  which  common  people  were  sentenced  to  the  pillory. 

Lancelot  succeeded  in  reaching  the  castle  of  Guinevere's  kid- 
naper, whom  he  challenged  and  defeated.  The  queen,  instead 
of  showing  herself  grateful  for  this  devotion,  soon  became  need- 
lessly jealous,  and  in  a  fit  of  anger  taunted  her  lover  about  his 
journey  in  the  cart.  This  remark  sufficed  to  unsettle  the  hero's 
evidently  very  tottering  reason,  and  he  roamed  wildly  about  until 
the  queen  recognized  her  error,  and  sent  twenty-three  knights  in 
search  of  him.  They  journeyed  far  and  wide  for  two  whole 
years  without  finding  him. 

"  'Then  Sir  Bors  had  ridden  on 
Softly,  and  sorrowing  for  our  Lancelot, 
Because  his  former  madness,  once  the  talk 
And  scandal  of  our  table,  had  return'd ; 
For  Lancelot's  kith  and  kin  so  worship  him 
That  ill  to  him  is  ill  to  them.'  " 

Tennyson,  The  Holy  Grail. 

Finally  a  fair  and  pious  damsel  took  pity  upon  the  frenzied 
knight,  and  seeing  that  he  had  atoned  by  suffering  for  all  his  sins, 
she  had  him  borne  into  the  chamber  where  the  Holy  Grail  was 
kept ;  "  and  then  there  came  a  holy  man,  who  uncovered  the  vessel, 
and  so  by  miracle,  and  by  virtue  of  that  holy  vessel,  Sir  Lancelot 
was  all  healed  and  recovered." 

Sane  once  more,  Lancelot  now  returned  to  Camelot,  where  the 
king,  queen,  and  all  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table  rejoiced  to 
see  him.     Here  Lancelot  knighted  Sir  Gareth,  who,      Gareth  and 
to  please  his  mother,  had  concealed  his  true  name,         Lynette. 
and  had  acted  as  kitchen  vassal  for  a  whole  year.     The  new- 
made  knight  immediately  started  out  with  a  fair  maiden  called 


22  2  LEGENDS   OE    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

Lynette,  to  deliver  her  captive  sister.  Thinking  him  nothing  but 
the  kitchen  vassal  he  seemed,  the  damsel  insulted  Gareth  in  every 
possible  way.  He  bravely  endured  her  taunts,  courageously  de- 
feated all  her  adversaries,  and  finally  won  her  admiration  and  re- 
spect to  such  a  degree  that  she  bade  him  ride  beside  her,  and 
humbly  asked  his  pardon  for  having  so  grievously  misjudged  him. 

"  '  Sir, —  and,  good  faith,  I  fain  had  added  Knight, 
But  that  I  heard  thee  call  thyself  a  knave, — 
Shamed  am  I  that  I  so  rebuked,  reviled, 
Missaid  thee  ;  noble  I  am ;  and  thought  the  King 
Scorn'd  me  and  mine ;  and  now  thy  pardon,  friend, 
For  thou  hast  ever  answer'd  courteously. 
And  wholly  bold  thou  art,  and  meek  withal 
•As  any  of  Arthur's  best,  but,  being  knave, 
Hast  mazed  my  wit :   I  marvel  what  thou  art.'  " 

Tennyson,  Gareth  and  Lynette. 

Granting  her  full  forgiveness,  Gareth  now  rode  beside  her, 
fought  more  bravely  still,  and,  after  defeating  many  knights,  de- 
livered her  sister  from  captivity,  and  secured  Lynette's  promise  to 
become  his  wife  as  soon  as  he  had  been  admitted  to  the  Round 
Table.  When  he  returned  to  Arthur's  court  this  honor  was  im- 
mediately awarded  him,  for  his  prowess  had  won  the  admiration 
of  all,  and  he  was  duly  married  on  St.  Michaelmas  Day. 

"  And  he  that  told  the  tale  in  older  times 
Says  that  Sir  Gareth  wedded  Lyoners, 
But  he  that  told  it  later,  says  Lynette." 

Tennyson,  Gareth  and  Lynette. 

Gareth's  brother,  Geraint,  Avas  also  an  honored  member  of  the 
Round  Table.     After  distinguishing  himself  by  many  deeds  of 
Geraint  and      valor  he  married  Enid  the  Fair,  the  only  daughter 
Enid.  Qf  g^j^  q](J  3^1,(^1  impoverished  knight  whom  he  de- 

livered from  the  tyranny  of  his  oppressor  and  restored  to  all  his 
former  state.  Taking  his  fair  wife  away  with  him  to  his  lonely 
manor,  Geraint  surrounded  her  with  every  comfort,  and,  forgetting 


THE  ROUND    TABLE.  223 

his  former  high  aspirations,  spent  all  his  time  at  home,  hoping 
thereby  to  please  her. 

"He  compass'd  her  with  sweet  observances 
And  worship,  never  leaving  her,  and  grew 
Forgetful  of  his  promise  to  the  King, 
Forgetful  of  the  falcon  and  the  hunt, 
Forgetful  of  the  tilt  and  tournament. 
Forgetful  of  his  glory  and  his  name, 
Forgetful  of  his  princedom  and  its  cares. 
And  this  forgetfulness  was  hateful  to  her. " 

Tennyson,  Geraint  and  Enid. 

Enid,  however,  soon  perceived  that  her  husband  was  forgetting 
both  honor  and  duty  to  linger  by  her  side.  One  day,  while  he 
lay  asleep  before  her,  she,  in  an  outburst  of  wifely  love,  poured 
out  her  heart,  and  ended  her  confession  by  declaring  that  since 
Geraint  neglected  everything  for  her  sake  only,  she  must  be  an 
unworthy  wife. 

Geraint  awoke  too  late  to  overhear  the  first  part  of  her  speech  ; 
but,  seeing  her  tears,  and  catching  the  words  "  unworthy  wife," 
he  immediately  imagined  that  she  had  ceased  to  love  him,  and  that 
she  received  the  attentions  of  another.  In  his  anger  Geraint 
(whom  the  French  and  German  poems  call  Erec)  rose  from  his 
couch,  and  sternly  bade  his  wife  don  her  meanest  apparel  and 
silently  follow  him  through  the  world. 

"  The  page  he  bade  with  speed 
Prepare  his  own  strong  steed. 
Dame  Enid's  palfrey  there  beside ; 
He  said  that  he  would  ride 
For  pastime  far  away : 
So  forward  hastened  they." 

Hartmann  von  Aue,  Erck  and  En/d  (Bayard  Taylor's  tr.). 

Patiently  Enid  did  her  husband's  bidding,  watched  him  fight 
the  knights  by  the  way,  and  bound  up  his  wounds.  She  suffered 
intensely  from  his  incomprehensible  coldness  and  displeasure  ;  but 
she  stood  all  his  tests  so  nobly  that  he  finally  recognized  how 


2  24  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

greatly  he  had  misjudged  her.     He  then  restored  her  to  her  right- 
ful place,  and  loved  her  more  dearly  than  ever  before. 

"  Nor  did  he  doubt  her  more, 
But  rested  in  her  fealty,  till  he  crown'd 
A  happy  life  with  a  fair  death,  and  fell 
Against  the  heathen  of  the  Northern  Sea 
In  battle,  fighting  for  the  blameless  King." 

Tennyson,  Geraifit  and  Enid. 

One  Pentecost  Day,  when  all  the  knights  were  assembled,  as 

usual,  around  the  table  at  Camelot,  a  distressed  damsel  suddenly 

entered  the  hall  and  implored  Lancelot  to  accom- 

Sir  Galahad.  ..... 

pany  her  to  the  neighbormg  forest,  where  a  young 
warrior  was  hoping  to  receive  knighthood  at  his  hands.  This  youth 
was  Sir  Galahad,  the  peerless  knight,  whom  some  authorities  call 
Lancelot's  son,  while  others  declare  that  he  was  not  of  mortal  birth. 

On  reentering  the  hall  after  performing  this  ceremony,  Lance- 
lot heard  that  a  miracle  had  occurred,  and  rushed  with  the  king 
and  his  companions  down  to  the  riverside.  There  the  rumor  was 
verified,  for  they  all  saw  a  heavy  stone  floating  down  the  stream, 
and  perceived  that  a  costly  weapon  was  sunk  deep  in  the  stone. 
On  this  weapon  was  an  inscription,  declaring  that  none  but  a  peer- 
less knight  should  attempt  to  draw  it  out,  upon  penalty  of  a  griev- 
ous punishment.  As  all  the  knights  of  the  Round  Table  felt  guilty 
of  some  sin,  they  modestly  refused  to  touch  it. 

When  they  returned  into  the  hall  an  aged  man  came  in,  ac- 
companied by  Galahad,  and  the  latter,  fearless  by  right  of  inno- 
cence, sat  down  in  the  "  Siege  Perilous."  As  his  name  then  ap- 
peared upon  it,  all  knew  that  he  was  the  rightful  occupant,  and 
hailed  his  advent  with  joy.  Then,  noticing  that  he  wore  an  empty 
scabbard,  and  hearing  him  state  that  he  had  been  promised  a 
marvelous  sword,  they  one  and  all  escorted  him  down  to  the  river, 
where  he  easily  drew  the  sword  out  of  the  stone.  This  fitted  ex- 
actly in  his  empty  sheath,  and  all  vowed  that  it  was  evidently 
meant  for  hiin. 


THE  ROUND  r.inr.E.  225 

That  selfsame  night,  after  evensong,  when  all  the  knights  were 
seated  about  the  Round  Table  at  Camelot,  they  heard  a  long 
roll  of  thunder,  and  felt  the  palace  shake.  The  briUiant  lights 
held  by  the  statues  of  the  twelve  conquered  kings  grew  strangely 
dim,  and  then,  gliding  down  upon  a  beam  of  refulgent  celestial 
light,  they  all  beheld  a  dazzling  vision  of  the  Holy  Grail.  Cov- 
ered by  white  samite,  and  borne  by  invisible  hands,  the  sacred 
vessel  was  slowly  carried  all  around  the  great  hall,  while  a  de- 
hcious  perfume  was  wafted  throughout  the  huge  edifice.  All 
the  knights  of  the  Round  Table  gazed  in  silent  awe  at  this  re- 
splendent vision,  and  when  it  vanished  as  suddenly  and  as  mys- 
teriously as  it  had  come,  each  saw  before  him  the  food  which  he 
liked  best. 

Speechless  at  first,  and  motionless  until  the  wonted  light  again 
illumined  the  hall,  the  knights  gave  fervent  thanks  for  the  mercy 
which  had  been  vouchsafed  them,  and  then  Lancelot,  springing 
impetuously  to  his  feet,  vowed  that  he  would  ride  forth  in  search 
of  the  Holy  Grail  and  would  know  no  rest  until  he  had  beheld  it 
unveiled.  This  vow  was  echoed  by  all  the  knights  of  the  Round 
Table ;  and  when  Arthur  now  questioned  them  closely,  he  dis- 
covered that  none  had  seen  the  vessel  unveiled.  Still  he  could 
not  prevent  his  knights  from  setting  out  in  quest  of  it,  because 
they  had  solemnly  vowed  to  do  so. 

"  '  Nay,  lord,  I  heard  the  sound,  I  saw  the  light, 
But  since  I  did  not  see  the  Holy  Thing, 
I  sware  a  vow  to  follow  it  till  I  saw.' 

"Then  when  he  ask'd  us,  knight  by  knight,  if  any 
Had  seen  it,  all  their  answers  were  as  one : 
*  Nay,  lord,  and  therefore  have  we  sworn  our  vows.'" 

Tennyson,  The  Holy  Grail. 

During  this  quest  the  knights  traveled  separately  or  in  pairs  all 
through  the  world,  encountered  many  dangers,  and  in  true  medi- 
aeval fashion  defended  damsels  in  distress,  challenged  knights, 
and  covered  themselves  with  scars  and  glory.     Some  of  the  leg- 

15 


2  26  LEGENDS    OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

ends  declare  that  Parzival  alone  saw  the  Holy  Grail,  while  others 
aver  that  Lancelot  saw  it  through  a  veil  faintly.    The  pure  Gala- 
Quest  of  the     had,  having  never  sinned  at  all,  and  having  spent 
Holy  Grail,      years  in  prayer  and  fasting,  finally  beheld  it  just  as 
his  immaculate  soul  was  borne  to  heaven  by  the  angels. 

The  rest  of  the  knights,  realizing  after  many  years'  fruitless 
search  that  they  were  unworthy  of  the  boon,  finally  returned  to 
Camelot,  where  they  were  duly  entertained  by  the  queen.  While 
they  were  feasting  at  her  table,  one  of  their  number,  having  par- 
taken of  a  poisonous  draught,  fell  lifeless  to  the  ground.  As  the 
incident  had  happened  at  the  queen's  side,  some  of  her  detract- 
ors accused  her  of  the  crime,  and  bade  her  confess,  or  prove  her 
innocence  by  a  judicial  duel.  Being  her  husband,  Arthur  was 
debarred  by  law  of  the  privilege  of  fighting  for  her  in  the  lists  of 
Camelot,  and  the  poor  queen  would  have  been  condemned  to  be 
burned  alive  for  lack  of  a  champion  had  not  Lancelot  appeared 
incognito,  and  forced  her  accuser  to  retract  his  words. 
/  Throughout  his  reign  Arthur  had  been  wont  to  encourage  his 
knights  by  yearly  tournaments,  the  victor's  prize  being  each  time 
a  precious  jewel.  It  seems  that  these  jewels  had  come  into  his 
possession  in  a  peculiar  way.  While  wandering  as  a  lad  in  Lyon- 
esse,  Arthur  found  the  moldering  bones  of  two  kings.  Tradition 
related  that  these  monarchs  had  slain  each  other,  and,  as  they 
were  brothers,  the  murder  seemed  so  heinous  that  none  dared 
touch  their  remains.  There  among  the  rusty  armor  lay  a  kingly 
crown  studded  with  diamonds,  which  Arthur  picked  up  and  care- 
lessly set  upon  his  own  head.  At  that  very  moment  a  prophetic 
voice  was  heard  declaring  to  him  that  he  should 'rule.  Arthur 
kept  the  crown,  and  made  each  jewel  set  in  it  the  object  of  a 
brilliant  pageant  when  the  prophecy  had  been  fulfilled. 

"  And  Arthur  came,  and  laboring  up  the  pass, 
All  in  a  misty  moonshine,  unawares 
Had  trodden  that  crown'd  skeleton,  and  the  skull 
Brake  from  the  nape,  and  from  the  skull  the  crown 
RoU'd  into  light,  and  turning  on  its  rims 


THE   ROUND    TABLE.  227 

Fled  like  a  glittering  rivulet  to  the  tarn. 

And  down  the  shingly  scaur  he  plunged,  and  caught, 

And  set  it  on  his  head,  and  in  his  heart 

Heard  murmurs,  —  '  Lo  !  thou  likewise  shalt  be  King.'  " 

Tennyson,  Lancelot  atid  Elaine. 

Lancelot  had  been  present  at  every  one  of  these  knightlv 
games,  and  had  easily  borne  away  the  prize,  for  his  very  name 
was  almost  enough  to  secure  him  the  victory.  Lancelot's 
When  the  time  for  the  last  tournament  came,  he  prowess, 
pretended  to  take  no  interest  in  it;  but,  riding  off  to  Astolat 
(Guildford),  he  asked  Elaine,  the  fair  maiden  who  dwelt  there, 
to  guard  his  blazoned  shield  and  give  him  another  in  exxhange. 

This  fair  lady,  who  had  fallen  in  love  with  Lancelot  at  first 
sight,  immediately  complied  with  his  request,  and  even  timidly 
suggested  that  he  should  wear  her  colors  in  the  coming  fray. 
Lancelot  had  never  worn  any  favors  except  Guinevere's,  but 
thinking  that  it  would  help  to  conceal  his  identity,  he  accepted 
the  crimson,  pearl-embroidered  sleeve  she  offered,  and  fastened 
it  to  his  helmet  in  the  usual  way. 

"  *  Lady,  thy  sleeve  thou  shalt  off-shear, 
I  wol  it  take  for  the  love  of  thee  ; 
So  did  I  never  no  lady's  ere  [before] 
But  one,  that  most  hath  loved  me.' " 

Ellis,  Laticelot  dit  Lac. 

Thus  effectually  disguised,  and  accompanied  by  Sir  Lawaine, 
Elaine's  brother,  Lancelot  rode  on  to  the  tournament,  where,  still 
unknown,  he  unhorsed  every  knight  and  won  the  prize.  His  last 
encounter,  however,  nearly  proved  fatal,  for  in  it  he  received  a 
grievous  wound.  As  he  felt  faint,  and  was  afraid  to  be  recog- 
nized, Lancelot  did  not  wait  to  claim  the  prize,  but  rode  imme- 
diately out  of  the  town.  He  soon  fainted,  but  was  conveyed  to 
the  cell  of  a  neighboring  hermit.  Here  his  wound  was  dressed, 
and  he  was  carefullv  nursed  by  Elaine,  who  had  heard  that  he 
was  wounded,  and  had  immediately  set  out  in  search  of  him. 


2  28  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

When  Lancelot,  entirely  recovered,  was  about  to  leave  Elaine 
after  claiming  his  own  shield,  she  timidly  confessed  her  love,  hop- 
Lancelot  and  ing  that  it  was  returned.  Gently  and  sorrowfully 
Elaine.  Lancelot  repulsed  her,  and,  by  her  father's  advice, 
was  even  so  discourteous  as  to  leave  her  without  a  special  fare- 
well. Unrequited  love  soon  proved  too  much  for  the  "  lily  maid 
of  Astolat,"  who  pined  away  very  rapidly.  Feeling  that  her  end 
was  near,  she  dictated  a  farewell  letter  to  Lancelot,  which  she 
made  her  father  promise  to  put  in  her  dead  hand.  She  also 
directed  that  her  body  should  be  laid  in  state  on  a  barge,  and  sent 
in  charge  of  a  mute  boatman  to  Camelot,  where  she  was  sure  she 
would  receive  a  suitable  burial  from  the  hands  of  Lancelot. 

In  the  mean  while  the  hero  of  the  tournament  had  been  sought 
everywhere  by  Gawain,  who  was  the  bearer  of  the  diamond  won 
at  such  a  cost.  Coming  to  Astolat  before  Lancelot  was  cured, 
Gawain  had  learned  the  name  of  the  victor,  which  he  immedi- 
ately proclaimed  to  Guinevere.  The  queen,  however,  hearing  a 
vague  rumor  that  Lancelot  had  worn  the  colors  of  the  maiden  of 
Astolat,  and  was  about  to  marry  her,  grew  so  jealous  that  when 
Lancelot  reappeared  at  court  she  received  him  very  coldly,  and 
carelessly  flung  his  present  (a  necklace  studded  with  the  diamonds 
he  had  won  at  various  tournaments)  into  the  river  flowing  beneath 

the  castle  walls. 

"  She  seized, 
And,  thro'  the  casement  standing  wide  for  heat, 
Fhmg  them,  and  down  they  flash'd,  and  smote  the  stream. 
Then  from  the  smitten  surface  flash'd,  as  it  were, 
Diamonds  to  meet  them,  and  they  passed  away." 

Tennyson,  Lancelot  and  Elaine. 

As  he  leaned  out  of  the  window  to  trace  them  in  their  fall, 
Lancelot  saw  a  barge  slowly  drifting  down  the  stream.    Its  pecul- 

The  funeral     i^r  appearance  attracted  his   attention,  and  as  it 

barge.         passed  closc  by  him  he  saw  that  it  bore  a  corpse. 

A  moment  later  he  had  recognized  the  features  of  the  dead  Elaine. 

'i'he  mute  boatman  paused  at  the  castle  steps,  and  Arthur  had  the 


4 


THE  ROUND    TABLE.  229 

corpse  borne  into  his  presence.  The  letter  was  found  and  read 
aloud  in  the  midst  of  the  awestruck  court.  Arthur,  touched  by 
the  girl's  love,  bade  Lancelot  fulfill  her  last  request  and  lay  her 
to  rest.  Lancelot  then  related  the  brief  story  of  the  maiden, 
whose  love  he  could  not  return,  but  whose  death  he  sincerely 
mourned. 

"  *  My  lord  liege  Arthur,  and  all  ye  that  hear, 
Know  that  for  this  most  gentle  ^naiden's  death 
Right  heavy  am  I ;  for  good  she  was  and  true, 
But  loved  me  with  a  love  beyond  all  love 
In  women,  whomsoever  I  have  known. 
Yet  to  be  loved  makes  not  to  love  again ; 
Not  at  my  years,  however  it  hold  in  youth. 
I  swear  by  truth  and  knighthood  that  I  gave 
No  cause,  not  willingly,  for  such  a  love  : 
To  this  I  call  my  friends  in  testimony. 
Her  brethren,  and  her  father,  who  himself 
Besought  me  to  be  plain  and  blunt,  and  use. 
To  break  her  passion,  some  discourtesy 
Against  my  nature:   what  I  could,  I  did. 
I  left  her  and  I  bade  her  no  farewell ; 
Tho',  had  I  dreamt  the  damsel  would  have  died, 
I  might  have  put  my  wits  to  some  rough  use, 
And  help'd  her  from  herself. ' " 

Tennyson,  Laiuelot  and  Elaine. 

Haunted  by  remorse  for  this  involuntary  crime,  Lancelot  again 
wandered  away  from  Camelot,  but  returned  in  time  to  save  Guin- 
evere, who  had  again  been  falsely  accused.  In  his  indignation 
at  the  treatment  to  which  she  had  been  exposed,  Lancelot  bore 
her  off  to  Joyeuse  Garde,  where  he  swore  he  would  defend  her 
even  against  the  king.  Arthur,  whose  mind,  in  the  mean  while, 
had  been  poisoned  by  officious  courtiers,  besieged  his  recreant 
wife  and  knight ;  but  although  repeatedly  challenged,  the  loyal 
Lancelot  ever  refused  to  bear  arms  directly  against  his  king. 

When  the  Pope  heard  of  the  dissension  in  England  he  finally  in- 
terfered ;  and  Lancelot,  assured  that  Guinevere  would  henceforth 


230  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE   ACES. 

be  treated  with  all  due  respect,  surrendered  her  to  the  king  and 
retreated  to  his  paternal  estate  in  Brittany.  As  Arthur's  resent- 
ment against  Lancelot  had  not  yet  cooled,  he  left  Guinevere  under 
the  care  and  protection  of  Mordred,  his  nephew, — some  versions 
say  his  son, — and  then,  at  the  head  of  a  large  force,  departed  for 
Brittany. 

Mordred  the  traitor  immediately  took  advantage  of  his  uncle's 
absence  to  lay  claim  to  the  throne  ;  and  loudly  declaring  that 
Treachery  of  Arthur  had  been  slain,  he  tried  to  force  Guinevere 
Mordred.  jq  marry  him.  As  she  demurred,  he  kept  her  a 
close  prisoner,  and  set  her  free  only  when  she  pretended  to  agree 
with  his  wishes,  and  asked  permission  to  go  to  London  to  buy 
wedding  finery. 

When  Guinevere  arrived  in  that  city  she  intrenched  herself  in 
the  Tower,  and  sent  word  to  her  husband  of  her  perilous  posi- 
tion. Without  any  delay  Arthur  abandoned  the  siege  of  Lancelot's 
stronghold,  and,  crossing  the  channel,  encountered  Mordred's 
army  near  Dover. 

Negotiations  now  took  place,  and  it  was  finally  agreed  that 
Arthur  and  a  certain  number  of  knights  should  meet  Mordred 
with  an  equal  number,  and  discuss  the  terms  of  peace.  It  had 
been  strictly  enjoined  on  both  parties  that  no  weapon  should 
be  drawn,  and  all  would  have  gone  well  had  not  an  adder  been 
lurking  in  the  grass.  One  of  the  knights  drew  his  sword  to  kill 
it,  and  this  unexpected  movement  proved  the  signal  for  one  of 
the  bloodiest  battles  described  in  mediaeval  poetry. 

"An  addere  crept  forth  of  a  biishe, 
Stunge  one  o'  th'  king's  knightes  on  the  knee. 
Alacke  !  it  was  a  vvoefullc  chance, 
As  ever  was  in  Christientie ; 
When  the  knighte  founde  him  wounded  sore, 
And  sawe  the  wild  worme  hanginge  there. 
His  sworde  he  from  the  scabbarde  drewe; 
A  piteous  case,  as  ye  shall  heare ; 
For  when  the  two  hostes  saw  the  sworde, 


rilK   ROUND    TABLE.  231 

They  joyned  in  battayle  instantlye ; 

Till  of  so  manye  noble  knightes, 

On  one  side  there  was  left  but  three." 

King  A  rthur's  Death. 

On  both  sides  the  knights  fought  with  the  utmost  courage,  and 
when  nearly  all  were  slain,  Arthur  encountered  the  traitor  Mor- 
dred.  Summoning  all  his  strength,  the  exhausted  Arthur 
king  finally  slew  the  usurper,  who,  in  dying,  dealt  wounded. 
Arthur  a  mortal  blow.  This  would  never  have  occurred,  however, 
had  not  Morgana  the  fay,  Arthur's  sister,  piu-loined  his  magic  scab- 
bard and  substituted  another.  All  the  enemy's  host  had  perished, 
and  of  Arthur's  noble  army  only  one  man  remained  alive,  Sir 
Bedivere,  a  knight  of  the  Round  Table.  He  hastened  to  the  side 
of  his  fallen  master,  who  in  faltering  accents  now  bade  him  take 
the  brand  Excalibur,  cast  it  far  from  him  into  the  waters  of  the 
lake,  and  return  to  report  what  he  should  see.  The  knight,  think- 
ing it  a  pity  to  throw  away  so  valuable  a  sword,  concealed  it  twice ; 
but  the  dying  monarch  detected  the  fraud,  and  finally  prevailed 
upon  Bedivere  to  fulfill  his  wishes.  As  the  magic  blade  touched 
the  waters  Sir  Bedivere  saw  a  hand  and  arm  rise  up  from  the 
depths  to  seize  it,  brandish  it  thrice,  and  disappear. 

"  'Sir  King,  I  closed  mine  eyelids,  lest  the  gems 
Should  blind  my  purpose ;   for  I  never  saw, 
Nor  shall  see,  here  or  elsewhere,  till  I  die, 
Not  tho'  I  live  three  lives  of  mortal  men, 
So  great  a  miracle  as  yonder  hilt. 
Then  with  both  hands  I  flung  him,  wheeling  him; 
But  when  I  look'd  again,  behold  an  arm, 
Clothed  in  white  samite,  mystic,  wonderful, 
That  caught  him  by  the  hilt,  and  brandish'd  him 
Three  times,  and  drew  him  under  in  the  mere.'" 

■J'ennyson,  7"//!?  Passing  of  Arthur. 

Artliur  gave  a  sigh  of  relief  when  he  heard  this  report ;  and 
after  telling  his  faithful  squire  that  Merlin  had  declared  that  he 
should  not  die,  he  bade  the  knight  lay  him  in  a  barge,  all  hung 


232  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

with  black,  wherein  he  would  find  Morgana  the  fay,  the  Queen 
of  NorthgaUis,  and  the  Queen  of  the  Westerlands. 

Sir  Bedivere  obeyed  all  these  orders  exactly ;  and  then,  seeing 
his  beloved  king  about  to  leave  him,  he  implored  permission  to  ac- 
company him.  This,  however,  Arthur  could  not  grant,  for  it  had 
been  decreed  that  he  should  go  alone  to  the  island  of  Avalon, 
where  he  hoped  to  be  cured  of  his  grievous  wound,  and  some 
day  to  return  to  his  sorrowing  people. 

"  '  But  now  farewell.     I  am  going  a  long  way 
With  these  thou  seest  —  if  indeed  I  go 
(For  all  my  mind  is  clouded  with  a  doubt)  — 
To  the  island-valley  of  Avilion  ; 
Where  falls  not  hail,  or  rain,  or  any  snow. 
Nor  ever  wind  blows  loudly  ;  but  it  lies 
Deep-meadow'd,  happy,  fair  with  orchard  lawns 
And  bowery  hollows  crown'd  with  summer  sea, 
Where  I  will  heal  me  of  my  grievous  wound.'  " 

Tennyson,  The  Passing  of  A  7-thiir. 

It  was  because  Arthur  thus  disappeared  and  was  never  seen 
again,  according  to  one  version  of  the  myth,  and  because  none 

Arthur  in  knew  whether  he  were  living  or  dead,  that  he  was 
Avalon.  popularly  supposed  to  be  enjoying  perpetual  youth 
and  bliss  in  the  fabled  island  of  Avalon,  whence  they  averred  he 
would  return  when  his  people  needed  him.  This  belief  was  so 
deeply  rooted  in  England  that  Philip  of  Spain,  upon  marrying 
Mary,  was  compelled  to  take  a  solemn  oath  whereby  he  bound 
himself  to  relinquish  the  crown  in  favor  of  Arthur  should  he  ap- 
pear to  claim  it. 

'*  Still  look  the  Britons  for  the  day 
Of  Arthur's  coming  o'er  the  sea." 

Lavamon,  Btitt. 

Other  romances  and  poems  relate  that  Arthur  was  borne  in  the 
sable-hung  barge  to  Glastonbury,  where  his  remains  were  laid  in 
the  tomb,  while  Guinevere  retired  into  the  nunnery  at  Almesbury. 


THE  ROUND    TABLE.  233 

There  she  was  once  more  visited  by  the  sorrowing  Lancelot, 
wlio,  in  spite  of  all  his  haste,  had  come  upon  the  scene  too  late 
to  save  or  be  reconciled  to  the  king,  to  whom  he  was  still  devot- 
edly attached.  In  his  sorrow  and  remorse  the  knight  withdrew 
into  a  hermitage,  where  he  spent  six  years  in  constant  penance 
and  prayer.  At  last  he  was  warned  in  a  vision  that  Guinevere 
was  no  more.  He  hastened  to  Almesbury,  and  found  her  really 
dead.  After  burying  her  by  Arthur's  side,  in  the  chapel  of  Glas- 
tonbury, Lancelot  again  withdrew  to  his  cell.  Six  weeks  later, 
worn  to  a  shadow  by  abstinence  and  night  Avatches,  he  peace- 
fully passed  away,  and  a  priest  watching  near  him  said  that  he 
had  seen  the  angels  receive  and  bear  his  ransomed  spirit  straight 
up  to  heaven. 

Lancelot  was  buried  either  at  Arthur's  feet  or  at  Joyeuse 
Garde.  He  was  deeply  mourned  by  all  his  friends,  and  espe- 
cially by  his  heir.  Sir  Ector  de  Maris,  who  eulogized  him  in  the 
following  touching  terms :  "  '  Ah,  Sir  Lancelot,'  he  said,  '  thou 
were  head  of  all  Christian  knights ;  and  now  I  dare  say,'  said  Sir 
Ector,  'that.  Sir  Lancelot,  there  thou  Hest,  thou  were  never 
matched  of  none  earthly  knight's  hands  ;  and  thou  were  the  court- 
liest knight  that  ever  bare  shield ;  and  thou  were  the  truest  friend 
to  thy  lover  that  ever  bestrode  horse ;  and  thou  were  the  truest 
lover  of  a  sinful  man  that  ever  loved  woman  ;  and  thou  were  the 
kindest  man  that  ever  struck  with  sword ;  and  thou  were  the 
goodliest  person  that  ever  came  among  press  of  knights ;  and 
thou  were  the  meekest  man,  and  the  gentlest,  that  ever  ate  in  hall 
among  ladies ;  and  thou  were  the  sternest  knight  to  thy  mortal 
foe  that  ever  put  spear  in  rest.' " 


CHAPTER    XIV. 


TRISTAN    AND    ISEULT. 


The  story  of  Tristan,  which  seems  to  have  been  current  from 
earhest  times,  refers,  perhaps,  to  the  adventures  of  a  knight,  the 
Origin  of  the     Contemporary  of  Arthur  or  of  Cassivellaunus.    The 
story.  tale  seems  to  have  already  been  known  in  the  sixth 

century,  and  was  soon  seized  upon  by  the  bards,  who  found  it 
a  rich  theme  for  their  metrical  romances.  It  is  quite  unknown 
whether  it  was  first  turned  into  Latin,  French,  or  Welsh  verse ; 
but  an  established  fact  is  that  it  has  been  translated  into  every 
European  language,  and  was  listened  to  with  as  much  interest 
by  the  inhabitants  of  Iceland  as  by  those  of  the  sunny  plains 
of  Greece. 

We  know  that  there  are  metrical  versions,  or  remains  of  met- 
rical versions,  attributed  to  Thomas  of  Ercildoune  (the  Rhymer), 
to  Raoul  de  Beauvais,  Chrestien  de  Troyes,  Rusticien  de  Pise, 
Luces  de  Gast,  Robert  and  Hehe  de  Borron,  and  Gottfried  von 
Strassburg,  and  that  in  otu  day  it  has  been  retold  by  Matthew 
Arnold  and  Swinburne,  and  made  the  subject  of  an  opera  by 
Wagner.  These  old  metrical  versions,  recited  with  manifold  varia- 
tions by  the  minstrels,  were  finally  collected  into  a  prose  romance, 
like  most  of  the  mediaeval  poems  of  this  kind. 

The  outline  of  the  story,  collected  from  many  different  sources, 
is  as  follows': 

Meliadus  (Rivalin,  or  Roland  Rise)  was  Lord  of  Lyonesse 
(Ermonie,  or  Parmenia),  and  after  warring  for  some  time  against 
Morgan,  he   entered  into   a  seven-years'  truce.     This   time   of 

234 


TRISTAA'  AND   ISEULT.  235 

respite  was  employed  by  Meliadus  in  visiting  Mark,  King  of 
Cornwall,  who  dwelt  at  Tintagel,  where  he  was  holding  a  great 
tournament.  Many  knights  of  tried  valor  hurried  thither  to  win 
laurels,  but  none  were  able  to  unhorse  Mehadus,  who  obtained 
every  prize. 

His  courage  was  such  that  he  even  won  the  heart  of  Blanche- 
fleur,  the  sister  of  the  king.  As  the  monarch  refused  to  consent 
to  their  union,  the  young  people  were  secretly  married,  or  eloped, 
if  we  are  to  believe  another  version  of  the  story. 

According  to  the  first  account,  Blanchefleur  remained  at  court,  ' 
where,  hearing  that  her  husband  had  died,  she  breathed  her  last 
in  giving  birth  to  a  son,  whom  she  called  Tristan  Birth 

(Tristrem),  because  he  had  come  into  the  world       of  Tristan, 
under  such  sad  circumstances.     The  second  version  relates  that 
Blanchefleur  died  as  Morgan  entered  the  castle  over  her  hus- 
band's dead  body,  and  that  her  faithful  retainer,  Kurv^enal  (Ro- 
hand,  Rual),  in  order  to  save  her  son,  claimed  him  as  his  own. 

The  child  Tristan  grew  up  without  knowing  his  real  parentage, 
learned  all  that  a  knightwas  expected  to  know,  and  became  espe- 
cially expert  as  a  hunter  and  as  a  harp  player.  One  day  he 
strolled  on  board  of  a  Norwegian  vessel  which  had  anchored  in 
the  harbor  near  his  ancestral  home,  and  accepted  the  challenge 
of  the  Norsemen  to  play  a  game  of  chess  for  a  certain  wager. 

As  Tristan  played  at  chess  as  well  as  upon  the  harp,  he  soon 
won  the  game  ;  but  the  Northmen,  rather  than  pay  their  forfeited 
wager,  suddenly  raised  the  anchor  and  sailed  away,  intending  to 
sell  the  kidnaped  youth  as  a  slave. 

"  Ther  com  a  schip  of  Norway, 

To  Sir  Rohandes  hold, 
With  haukes  white  and  grey, 

And  panes  fair  y-fold : 
Tristrem  herd  it  say, 

On  his  playing  he  wold 
Tventi  schilling  to  lay, 

Sir  Rohand  him  told, 


236  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

And  taught ; 
For  hauke  silver  he  gold  ; 
The  fairest  men  him  raught. " 

Scott,  Sir  TrisU-em. 

They  had  not  gone  far,  however,  before  a  terrible  tempest 
arose,  which  threatened  to  sink  the  vessel  and  drown  all  on 
board.  The  mariners,  supposing  in  their  terror  that  this  peril  had 
come  upon  them  because  they  had  acted  dishonorably,  made  a 
solemn  vow  to  hberate  the  youth  if  they  escaped. 

The  vow  having  been  made,  the  wind  ceased  to  blow ;  and 
anchoring  in  the  nearest  bay,  the  Norsemen  bade  Tristan  land, 
and  paid  him  the  sum  he  had  won  at  chess. 

Thus  forsaken  on  an  unknown  shore,  with  nothing  but  his  harp 
and  bow,  Tristan  wandered  through  an  extensive  forest,  where, 
Tristan  coming  acioss  a  party  of  huntsmen  who  had  just 
in  cornwau.  glaiu  a  deer,  he  gave  them  valuable  and  lengthy  in- 
structions in  matters  pertaining  to  the  chase,  and  taught  them  how 
to  flay  and  divide  their  quarry  according  to  the  most  approved 
mediaeval  style.  Then,  accompanying  them  to  the  court  of  their 
master,  King  Mark,  he  charmed  every  one  with  his  minstrelsy, 
and  was  invited  to  tarry  there  as  long  as  he  pleased.  His 
foster  father,  Kurvenal,  in  the  mean  while,  had  set  out  to  seek 
him ;  and  in  the  course  of  his  wanderings  he  too  came  to  Mark's 
court,  where  he  was  overjoyed  to  find  Tristan,  whose  parentage 
he  revealed  to  the  king. 

Tristan  now  for  the  first  time  heard  the  story  of  his  father's 
death,  and  refused  to  rest  until  he  had  avenged  him.  He  imme- 
diately set  out,  slew  Morgan,  and  recovered  his  father's  estate  of 
Lyonesse,  which  he  intrusted  to  Kurvenal's  care,  while  he  himself 
went  back  to  Cornwall.  On  arriving  at  Tintagel  he  was  surprised 
to  find  all  the  court  plunged  in  sorrow.  Upon  inquiring  the  cause 
he  was  informed  that  Morold,  brother  of  the  King  of  Ireland,  had 
come  to  claim  the  usual  tribute  of  three  hundred  pounds  of  silver 
and  tin  and  three  hundred  promising  youths  to  be  sold  into  slavery'. 
Indignant  at  this  claim,  which  had  been  enforced  ever  since 


'/■A'/sy.LV  .LVD    ISEULT.  237 

Mark  had  been  defeated  in  battle  by  the  Irish  king,  Tristan  boldly 
strode  up  to  the  emissary,  tore  the  treaty  in  two,  flung  the  pieces 
in  his  face,  and  challenged  him  to  single  combat.  Morold,  confi- 
dent in  his  strength, — for  he  was  a  giant,— and  relying  particularly 
upon  his  poisoned  sword,  immediately  accepted  the  challenge. 
When  the  usual  preliminaries  had  been  settled,  the  battle  began. 

"  Sir  Morold  rode  upon  his  steed. 
And  flew  against  Tristan  with  speed 
Still  greater  than  is  falcons'  flight ; 
But  warlike  too  was  Tristan's  might." 

Gottfried  von  Stkassburg  (Dippold's  tr.). 

Terrible  blows  were  given  and  received,  and  at  last  Tristan 
sank  to  the  ground  on  one  knee,  for  his  opponent's  poisoned 
weapon  had  pierced  his  side. 

Morold  then  called  upon  him  to  acknowledge  himself  beaten, 
promising  to  obtain  a  balsam  from  his  sister  Iseult  (Isolde,  Ysolde), 
who  knew  a  remedy  for  such  a  dangerous  wound.  But  Tristan, 
remembering  that,  if  he  surrendered,  three  hundred  innocent  chil- 
dren would  be  sold  as  slaves,  made  a  last  despairing  effort,  and 
slew  Morold.  Such  was  the  force  of  the  blow  he  dealt  that  he 
cut  through  the  helmet  and  pierced  Morold's  skull,  which  was 
so  hard  that  a  fragment  of  his  sword  remained  imbedded  within 
the  wound. 

The  people  of  Cornwall  were,  of  course,  delighted ;  and  while 
the  Irish  heralds  returned  empty-handed  to  Dublin  with  Morold's 
remains,  the  King  of  Cornwall  loudly  proclaimed  that  as  he  had 
no  son,  Tristan  should  be  his  heir. 

Tristan,  however,  was  far  from  happy,  for  the  wound  in  his 
side  refused  to  heal,  and  gradually  became  so  offensive  that  no 
one  could  bear  his  presence.  As  none  of  the  court  Tristan's 
doctors  could  relieve  him,  he  remembered  Morold's  wound, 
words,  and  resolved  to  go  to  Ireland,  in  hopes  that  Iseult  would 
cure  him.  Conscious,  however,  that  she  would  never  consent  to 
help  him  if  she  suspected  his  identity,  he  embarked  alone,  or  with 


238  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Kurvenal,  in  a  small  vessel,  taking  only  his  harp,  and  drifted 
toward  Ireland,  where  he  arrived  at  the  end  of  fifteen  days. 
When  he  appeared  at  court,  Tristan  declared  that  he  was  a  wan- 
dering minstrel  called  Tantris,  and  bespoke  the  kind  offices  of  the 
queen,  Iseult.  Charmed  by  his  music,  she  hastened  to  cure  him 
of  the  grievous  wound  from  which  he  had  suffered  so  much. 

Tristan,  still  unknown,  remained  at  the  Irish  court  for  some 
time,  spending  many  hours  with  Iseult,  the  daughter  and  name- 
sake of  the  queen,  whom  he  instructed  daily  in  the  art  of  music. 
After  some  months  passed  thus  in  pleasant  intercourse,  Tristan 
returned  to  Cornwall,  where  he  related  to  Mark  the  story  of  his 
cure,  and  so  extolled  the  beauty  of  young  Iseult  that  the  king 
finally  expressed  a  desire  to  marry  her.  By  the  advice  of  the 
courtiers,  who  were  jealous  of  Tristan,  and  who  hoped  that  this 
mission  would  cost  him  his  life,  the  young  hero  was  sent  to  Ire- 
land with  an  imposing  retinue,  to  sue  for  the  maiden's  hand  and 
to  escort  her  safely  to  Cornwall. 

On  landing  in  Dublin,  Tristan  immediately  became  aware  that 
the  people  were  laboring  under  an  unusual  excitement.  Upon 
questioning  them  he  learned  that  a  terrible  dragon  had  taken  up 
its  station  near  the  city,  that  it  was  devastating  the  country,  and 
that  the  king  had  promised  the  hand  of  Iseult  to  the  man  who 
would  slay  the  monster.  Tristan  immediately  concluded  that  by 
killing  the  dragon  he  would  have  the  best  chance  of  successfully 
carrying  out  his  uncle's  wishes,  so  he  saUied  forth  alone  to  attack  it. 

"  This  dragon  had  two  furious  wings. 
Each  one  upon  each  shoulder; 
With  a  sting  in  his  tayl  as  long  as  a  flayl, 
Which  made  him  bolder  and  bolder. 

"  He  had  long  claws,  and  in  his  jaws 
Four  and  forty  teeth  of  iron  ; 
With  a  hide  as  tough  as  any  buff 
Which  did  him  round  environ." 

Dragon  of  Wantley  (Old  Ballad). 

In  spite  of  the  fearful  appearance  of  this  dragon,  and  of  the 


TRISTAN  AND   ISEULT.  239 

volumes  of  fire  and  venom  which  it  belched  forth,  Tristan  en- 
countered it  bravely,  and  finally  slew  it.  Then,  cutting  out  the 
monster's  tongue,  he  thrust  it  into  his  pocket,  in-  Tristan  and 
tending  to  produce  it  at  the  right  moment.  He  had  ^^e  dragon, 
gone  only  a  few  steps,  however,  when,  exhausted  by  his  prolonged 
conflict,  stunned  by  the  poisonous  fumes  which  he  had  inhaled, 
and  overcome  by  the  close  contact  with  the  dragon's  tongue,  he 
sank  fainting  to  the  ground.  A  few  moments  later  the  butler  of 
the  Irish  king  rode  up.  He  saw  the  dragon  dead,  with  his  con- 
queror Hfeless  beside  him,  and  quickly  resolved  to  take  advantage 
of  this  fortunate  chance  to  secure  the  hand  of  the  fair  princess. 
He  therefore  cut  off  the  dragon's  head,  and,  going  to  court, 
boasted  of  having  slain  the  monster  just  as  it  had  killed  a  strange 
knight.  Iseult  and  her  mother,  well  aware  that  the  man  was  a 
coward,  refused  to  believe  his  story,  and  hastened  off  to  the  scene 
of  the  conflict,  where  they  found  the  fainting  Tristan  with  the 
dragon's  tongue  in  his  pocket. 

To  remove  the  poisonous  substance,  (which  they,  however,  pre- 
served,) convey  the  knight  to  the  palace,  and  restore  him  by  ten- 
der care,  was  the  next  impulse  of  these  brave  women.  Then, 
while  Iseult  the  younger  sat  beside  her  patient,  watching  his 
slumbers,  she  idly  drew  his  sword  from  the  scabbard.  Suddenly 
her  eye  was  caught  by  a  dint  in  the  blade,  which  she  soon  dis- 
covered was  of  exactly  the  same  shape  and  size  as  the  fragment 
of  steel  which  she  had  found  in  her  uncle's  skull. 

"  Then  all  at  once  her  heart  grew  cold 

In  thinking  of  that  deed  of  old. 

Her  color  changed  through  grief  and  ire 

From  deadly  pale  to  glowing  fire. 

With  sorrow  she  exclaimed  :    *  Alas! 

Oh,  woe !  what  has  now  come  to  pass  ? 

Who  carried  here  this  weapon  dread, 

By  which  mine  uncle  was  struck  dead  ? 

And  he  who  slew  him,  Tristan  hight. 

Who  gave  it  to  this  minstrel  knight? '  " 

Gottfried  von  Strassburg  (Dippold's  tr.). 


240  LEGEA'DS   01'    THE  MIDDLE   AGES. 

Morold's  murderer  lay  helpless  before  her,  and  Iseult,  animated 
by  the  spirit  of  vengeance,  which  was  considered  a  sacred  duty 
among  the  people  of  the  time,  was  about  to  slay  Tristan,  when 
he  opened  his  eyes  and  disarmed  her  by  a  glance.  Her  mother 
further  hindered  her  carrying  out  her  hostile  intentions  by  telling 
her  that  Tristan  had  atoned  for  his  crime  by  delivering  the  peo- 
ple from  the  power  of  the  dragon. 

As  soon  as  Tristan  had  quite  recovered,  he  appeared  at  court, 
where  he  offered  to  prove  at  the  point  of  his  sword  that  the  but- 
ler had  no  claim  to  the  princess's  hand.  A  duel  was  arranged, 
and  the  butler,  disarmed  by  Tristan,  confessed  his  lie.  Tristan 
then  produced  the  dragon's  tongue  and  told  his  adventures  ;  but,  to 
the  general  surprise,  instead  of  suing  for  Iseult's  hand  for  himself, 
he  now  asked  it  in  the  name  of  his  uncle.  King  Mark  of  Cornwall. 

The  young  princess  was  none  too  well  pleased  at  this  unex- 
pected turn  of  affairs ;  but,  as  princesses  never  had  much  to  say 
The  love  about  the  choice  of  a  husband,  she  obediently  pre- 
potion.  pared  to  accompany  the  embassy  to  Tintagel.  Her 
mother,  wishing  to  preserve  her  from  a  loveless  marriage,  now 
sought  out  all  manner  of  herbs  wherewith  to  brew  one  of  those 
magic  love  potions  which  were  popularly  supposed  to  have  un- 
Hmited  powers. 

"  Bethought  her  with  her  secret  soul  alone 
To  work  some  charm  for  marriage  unison, 
And  strike  the  heart  of  Iseult  to  her  lord 
With  power  compulsive  more  than  stroke  of  sword." 

Swinburne,  Tristram  of  Lyonesse. 

This  magic  potion  was  put  in  a  golden  cup  and  intrusted  to 
Brangwaine,the  attendant  of  Iseult,  with  strict  injunctions  to  guard 
the  secret  well,  and  to  give  the  draught  to  her  mistress  and  Mark 
to  quaff  together  on  their  wedding  day. 

"  Therefore  with  marvelous  herbs  and  spells  she  wrought 
To  win  the  very  wonder  of  her  thought, 
And  brewed  it  with  her  secret  hands,  and  blest 


TRISTAN  AND   ISEULT.  241 

And  drew  and  gave  out  of  her  secret  breast 

To  one  her  chosen  and  Iseult's  handmaiden, 

BrangAvain,  and  bade  her  hide  from  sight  of  men 

This  marvel  covered  in  a  golden  cup, 

So  covering  in  her  heart  the  counsel  up 

As  in  the  gold  the  wondrous  wine  lay  close." 

Swinburne,  Tristram  of  Lyonesse. 

Brangwaine  carefully  carried  this  potion  on  board  the  ship,  and 
placed  it  in  a  cupboard,  whence  she  intended  to  produce  it  when 
the  suitable  moment  came.  Iseult  embarked  with  the  escort  sent 
from  Cornwall,  and  Tristan,  in  order  to  beguile  the  long,  weary 
hours  of  the  journey,  entertained  her  with  all  the  songs  and  stories 
that  he  knew.  One  day,  after  singing  for  some  time,  he  asked 
his  fair  young  mistress  for  a  drink  ;  and  she,  going  to  the  cup- 
board, drew  out  the  magic  potion,  little  guessing  its  power. 

As  was  customary  in  those  days  in  offering  wine  to  an  honored 
guest,  she  first  put  it  to  her  own  lips  and  then  handed  it  to  the 
thirsty  minstrel,  who  drained  it  greedily.  They  had  no  sooner 
drunk,  however,  than  the  draught,  working  with  subtle  power, 
suddenly  kindled  in  their  hearts  a  passionate  love,  destined  to 
last  as  long  as  they  both  lived. 

"Now  that  the  maiden  and  the  man, 
Fair  Iseult  and  Tristan, 
Both  drank  the  drink,  upon  them  pressed 
What  gives  the  world  such  sore  unrest, — 
Love,  skilled  in  sly  and  prowling  arts,  — 
And  swiftly  crept  in  both  their  hearts ; 
So,  ere  of  him  they  were  aware, 
Stood  his  victorious  banners  there. 
He  drew  them  both  into  his  power ; 
One  and  single  were  they  that  hour 
That  two  and  twofold  were  before." 

Gottfried  von  Strassburg  (Bayard  Taylor's  tr.). 

After  the  first  few  hours  of  rapture  had  passed,  the  young  peo- 
ple, who  honorably  intended  to  keep  their  word  and  conquer  the 
fatal  passion  which  had  overwhelmed  them,  remained  apart,  and 
16 


242  LEGENDS   OE    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

when  Iseult  landed  in  Cornwall  her  marriage  was  celebrated  with 
Mark.  Brangwaine,  who  knew  all  that  had  passed,  tried  to  shield 
her  mistress  in  every  way,  and  blind  the  king,  who  is  depicted  as 
a  very  unheroic  monarch,  but  little  fitted  to  secure  the  affections 
of  the  proud  young  Iseult. 

This  story  of  a  love  potion  whose  magic  power  none  could 
resist,  and  of  the  undying  love  which  it  kindled  in  the  unsuspect- 
Tristan  and  i^g  hearts  of  Tristau  and  Iseult,  has  been  treated 
Iseult.  ii^  many  ways  by  the  different  poets  and  prose 
writers  who  have  handled  it.  In  many  of  the  older  versions  we 
have  lengthy  descriptions  of  stolen  interviews,  hairbreadth  escapes, 
and  tests  of  love,  truth,  and  fidelity  without  number. 

In  many  respects  the  story  is  a  parallel  of  that  of  Lancelot  and 
Guinevere,  although  it  contains  some  incidents  which  are  dupli- 
cated in  the  "  Nibelungenlied  "  only.  But  throughout,  the  writers  all 
aver  that,  owing  to  the  magic  draught,  the  lovers,  however  good 
their  intentions,  could  not  long  exist  without  seeing  each  other. 

By  means  of  this  boundless  love  Tristan  is  said  to  have  had 
an  intuitive  knowledge  of  Iseult's  peril,  for  he  hastened  to  rescue 
her  from  danger  whenever  events  took  a  turn  which  might  prove 
fatal  to  her.  There  are  in  some  of  these  old  romances  pretty 
descriptions  of  scenery  and  of  the  signals  used  by  the  lovers  to 
communicate  with  each  other  when  forced  by  adverse  circum- 
stances to  remain  apart.  One  of  the  poems,  for  instance,  says 
that  Tristan's  love  messages  were  written  on  chips  of  wood,  which 
he  floated  down  the  httle  stream  which  flowed  past  his  sylvan 
lodge  and  crossed  the  garden  of  the  queen. 

The  inevitable  villain  of  the  tale  is  one  of  Mark's  squires,  the  spy 

Meliadus,  also  a  very  unheroic  character,  who  told  the  king  of 

Tristan's  love  for  Iseult.     Mark,  who  all  through 

Meliadus.  .       .      t.„  i  •     i_  • 

the  story  seems  strangely  indifferent  to  his  beauti- 
ful wife,  was  not  aware  of  the  magic  draught  and  its  powerful 
effect,  but  Mehadus  roused  him  temporarily  from  his  apathy. 

As  the  queen  had  been  pubhcly  accused,  he  compelled  her  to 
prove  her  innocence  by  undergoing  the  ordeal  of  fire,  or  by  taking 


(Ol'i:  /..  212.) 


ISEULT    SIGNALS    TRISTAN.  — Pi.xis. 


TRISTAN  AND   ISEULT.  243 

a  public  oath  that  she  had  shown  favor  to  none  but  him.  On  her 
way  to  the  place  where  this  ceremony  was  to  take  place,  Iseult 
was  carried  across  a  stream  by  Tristan  disguised  as  a  beggar, 
and,  at  his  request,  kissed  him  in  reward  for  this  service. 

When  called  upon  to  take  her  oath  before  the  judges  and 
assembled  court,  Iseult  could  truthfully  swear  that,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  beggar  whom  she  had  just  publicly  kissed,  no 
other  man  than  the  king  could  ever  boast  of  having  received  anv 
special  mark  of  her  fa^'or. 

Thus  made  aware  of  their  danger,  the  lovers  again  decided  to 
part,  and  Tristan,  deprived  for  a  time  of  the  sight  of  Iseult,  went 
mad,  and  performed  many  extraordinary  feats ;  for  mediaeval 
poets  generally  drove  their  heroes  into  a  frenzy  when  they  did 
not  know  what  else  to  do  with  them.  Having  recovered,  and  hop- 
ing to  forget  the  fatal  passion  which  had  already  caused  him  so 
much  soiTOw,  Tristan  now  wandered  off  to  Arthur's  court,  where 
he  performed  many  deeds  of  valor.  Thence  he  went  on  to  various 
strange  lands,  distinguishing  himself  greatly  everywhere,  until  he 
received  from  a  poisoned  arrow  a  wound  which  no  doctor  could 
heal. 

Afraid  to  expose  himself  again  to  the  fascinations  of  Iseult  of 
Cornwall,  Tristan  went  to  Brittany,  where  another  Iseult, — with 
the  White  Hands, — equally  well  skilled  in  medi-  iseuit 

cine,  tenderly  nursed  him  back  to  health.     This      of  Brittany, 
maiden,  as  good  and  gentle  as  she  was  beautiful,  soon  fell  in  love 
with  the  handsome  knight,  and  hearing  him  sing  a  passionate  lay 
in  honor  of  Iseult,  she  fancied  that  her  affections  were  returned, 
and  that  it  was  intended  for  her  ear. 

"  I  know  her  by  her  mildness  rare, 
Her  snow-white  hands,  her  golden  hair; 
I  know  her  by  her  rich  silk  dress, 
And  her  fragile  loveliness,  — 
The  sweetest  Christian  soul  alive, 
Iseult  of  Brittany." 

M.\TTHE\v  Arnold,  Tristram  atid  Iseult. 


244  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

The  brother  of  this  fair  Iseult  saw  her  love  for  Tristan,  and 
offered  him  her  hand,  which  he  accepted  more  out  of  gratitude 
than  love,  and  in  the  hope  that  he  might  at  last  overcome  the 
effects  of  the  fatal  draught.  But,  in  spite  of  all  his  good  resolu- 
tions, he  could  not  forget  Iseult  of  Cornwall,  and  treated  his  wife 
with  such  pohte  coolness  that  her  brother's  suspicions  were  finally 
roused. 

Tristan,  having  conquered  a  neighboring  giant  and  magician 
by  the  name  of  Beliagog,  had  granted  him  his  hfe  only  upon  con- 
dition that  he  would  build  a  marvelous  palace  in  the  forest,  and 
adorn  it  with  paintings  and  sculptures,  true  to  life,  and  represent- 
ing all  the  different  stages  of  his  passion  for  Iseult  of  Cornwall. 
When  his  brother-in-law,  therefore,  asked  why  he  seemed  to  find 
no  pleasure  in  the  society  of  his  young  wife,  Tristan  led  him  to 
the  palace,  showed  him  the  works  of  art,  and  told  him  all.  Gan- 
hardin,  the  brother-in-law,  must  evidently  have  considered  the 
excuse  a  good  one,  for  he  not  only  forgave  Tristan,  but  implored 
him  to  take  him  to  Cornwall,  for  he  had  fallen  in  love  with  the 
picture  of  Brangwaine,  and  hoped  to  win  her  for  wife.  On  the 
way  thither  the  young  knights  met  with  sundry  adventures,  deliv- 
ered Arthur  from  the  power  of  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  and  carried 
off  Iseult,  whom  the  cowardly  Mark  was  ill  treating,  to  Lance- 
lot's castle  of  Joyeuse  Garde.  There  she  became  acquainted  with 
Guinevere,  and  remained  with  her  until  Arthiu:  brought  about  a 
general  reconciliation. 

Then  Tristan  once  more  returned  to  Brittany,  resumed  his 
wonted  knightly  existence,  and  fought  until  he  was  wounded  so 
sorely  that  Iseult  of  Brittany  could  not  cure  him.  His  faithful 
steward  Kurvenal,  hoping  yet  to  save  him,  sailed  for  Cornwall  to 
bring  the  other  Iseult  to  the  rescue ;  and  as  he  left  he  promised 
his  master  to  change  the  black  sails  of  the  vessel  for  white  in 
case  his  quest  were  successful. 

Tristan  now  watched  impatiently  for  the  returning  sail,  but  just 
as  it  came  into  view  he  breathed  his  last.  Some  ill-advised  writ- 
ers have  ventured  to  state  that  Iseult  of  Brittany,  whose  jealousy 


'J'RrSTAX  AiVD   TSEULT.  245 

had  been  aroused,  was  guilty  of  Tristan's  death  by  falsely  aver- 
ring, in  answer  to  his  feverish  inquiry,  that  the  long-expected 
vessel  was  wafted  along  by  black  sails ;  but,  according  to  other 
authorities,  she  remained  gentle  and  lovable  to  the  end. 

Iseult  of  Cornwall,  speeding  to  the  rescue  of  her  lover,  whom 
nothing  could  make  her  forget,  and  finding  him  dead,  breathed 
her  last  upon  his  corpse.  Both  bodies  were  then  Miracle  of  the 
carried  to  Cornwall,  where  they  were  interred  in  plants, 
separate  graves  by  order  of  King  Mark.  But  from  the  tomb  of 
the  dead  minstrel  there  soon  sprang  a  creeper,  which,  finding  its 
way  along  the  walls,  descended  into  Iseult's  grave.  Thrice  cut 
down  by  Mark's  orders,  the  plant  persisted  in  growing,  thus  em- 
phasizing by  a  miracle  the  passionate  love  which  made  this  couple 
proverbial  in  the  middle  ages.  There  are  in  subsequent  literature 
many  parallels  of  the  miracle  of  the  plant  which  sprang  from 
Tristan's  tomb,  as  is  seen  by  the  Ballad  of  Lord  Thomas  and  Fair 
Annet,  and  of  Lord  Lovel,  where,  as  in  later  versions  of  the 
Tristan  legend,  a  rose  and  a  vine  grew  out  of  the  respective  graves 
and  twined  tenderly  around  each  other. 

"  And  out  of  her  breast  there  grew  a  red  rose, 
And  out  of  his  breast  a  brier." 

Ballad  0/ Lord  Lovel. 


CHAPTER    XV. 


THE    STORY    OF    FRITHIOF. 


Norse,  Danish,  and  Swedish  writers  have  frequently  called 
public  attention  to  the  vast  literary  treasures  which  are  contained 

Northern  i"  the  old  sagas  or  tales  of  their  forefathers.  The 
sagas.  work  of  northern  scalds  whose  names  in  most  cases 

are  unknown  to  us,  these  stories  relate  the  lives  and  adventures 
of  the  gods  and  heroes  of  the  North.  Many  of  these  old  sagas 
have  been  translated  into  various  other  European  languages ;  but 
Tegner,  a  Swedish  writer  of  this  century,  has  done  most  to  revive 
a  taste  for  them  by  making  one  of  them  the  basis  of  a  poem 
which  is  generally  considered  a  masterpiece. 

Tegner's  "  Frithiof  Saga  "has  been  translated  once  at  least 
into  every  European  tongue,  and  more  than  eighteen  times  into 
Enghsh  and  German.  Goethe  spoke  of  the  work  with  the 
greatest  enthusiasm,  and  the  tale,  which  gives  a  matchless  picture 
of  the  life  of  our  heathen  ancestors  in  the  North,  has  been  the 
source  of  inspiration  for  important  works  of  art. 

Although  Tegner  has  chosen  for  his  theme  the  Frithiof  saga 
only,  we  find  that  that  tale  is  the  sequel  to  the  older  but  less  in- 
teresting Thorsten  saga,  of  which  we  give  here  a  very  brief  out- 
hne,  merely  to  enable  the  reader  to  understand  clearly  every 
allusion  in  the  more  modern  poem. 

As  is  so  frequently  the  case  with  these  ancient  tales,  the  story 
begins  with  Haloge  (Loki),  who  came  north  with  Odin,  and  be- 
gan to  reign  over  north  Norway,  which  from  him  was  called 
Halogaland.     According  to  northern  mythology,  this  god  had 

24b 


THE   STORY    OF   /RnillOF.  247 

two  lovely  daughters.  They  were  carried  off  by  bold  suitors, 
who,  banished  from  the  mainland  by  Haloge's  ciirses  and  magic 
spells,  took  refuge  with  their  newly  won  wives  upon  neighboring 
islands. 

Thus  it  happened  that  Haloge's  grandson,  Viking,  was  born 
upon  the  island  of  Bornholm,  in  the  Baltic  Sea,  where  he  dwelt 
until  he  was  fifteen,  and  where  he  became  the  Birth  of 
largest  and  strongest  man  of  his  time.  Rumors  viking, 
of  his  valor  finally  reached  Hunvor,  a  Swedish  princess ;  and,  as 
she  was  oppressed  by  the  attentions  of  a  gigantic  suitor  whom 
none  dared  drive  away,  she  quickly  sent  for  Viking  to  deliver  her. 

Thus  summoned,  the  youth  departed,  after  having  received 
from  his  father  a  magic  sword  named  Angurvadel,  whose  blows 
would  prove  fatal  even  to  the  giant  suitor  of  Hunvor.  A  "  holm- 
gang,"  the  northern  name  for  a  duel,  ensued,  and  Viking,  having 
slain  his  antagonist,  could  have  married  the  princess  had  it  not 
been  considered  disgraceful  for  a  Northman  to  marry  before  he 
was  twenty. 

To  beguile  the  time  of  waiting,  Viking  set  out  in  a  well-manned 
dragon  ship  ;  and,  cruising  about  the  northern  and  southern  seas, 
he  met  with  countless  adventures.  During  this  time  he  was  par- 
ticularly persecuted  by  the  slain  giant's  kin,  who  were  adepts  in 
magic,  and  caused  him  to  encounter  innumerable  perils  by  land 
and  by  sea. 

Aided  and  abetted  by  his  bosom  friend,  Halfdan,  Viking  es- 
caped every  danger,  slew  many  of  his  foes,  and,  after  recovering 
his  promised  bride,  Hunvor,  whom  the  enemy  had  carried  off  to 
India,  he  settled  down  in  Sweden.  His  friend,  faithful  in  peace 
as  well  as  in  war,  settled  near  him,  and  married  also,  choosing 
for  his  wife  Ingeborg,  Hunvor's  attendant. 

The  saga  now  describes  the  long,  peaceful  winters,  when  the 
warriors  feasted  and  listened  to  the  tales  of  the  scalds,  rousing 
themselves  to  energetic  efforts  only  when  returning  spring  again 
permitted  them  to  launch  their  dragon  ships  and  set  out  once 
more  upon  their  favorite  piratical  expeditions.     In  the  olden  stor\' 


248  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

the  bards  relate  with  great  gusto  every  phase  of  attack  and 
defense  during  cruise  and  raid,  describe  every  blow  given  and 
received,  and  spare  us  none  of  carnage,  or  lurid  flames  which 
envelop  both  enemies  and  ships  in  common  ruin.  A  fierce  fight 
is  often  an  earnest  of  future  friendship,  however,  for  we  are  told 
that  Halfdan  and  Viking,  having  failed  to  conquer  Njorfe,  even 
after  a  most  obstinate  struggle,  sheathed  their  swords  and  accepted 
him  as  a  third  in  their  close  bond  of  friendship. 

On  returning  home  after  one  of  these  customary  raids,  Viking 
lost  his  beloved  wife  ;  and,  after  intrusting  her  child.  Ring,  to  the 
care  of  a  foster  father,  and  undergoing  a  short  period  of  mourn- 
ing, the  brave  warrior  married  again.  This  time  his  marital  bhss 
was  more  lasting,  for  the  saga  reports  that  his  second  wife  bore 
him  nine  stalwart  sons. 

Njorfe,  King  of  Uplands,  in  Norway,  had,  in  the  mean  while, 
followed  Viking's  example,  and  he  too  rejoiced  in  a  large  family, 
numbering  also  nine  brave  sons.  Now,  although  their  fathers 
were  united  in  bonds  of  the  closest  friendship,  having  sworn  blood 
brotherhood  according  to  the  true  northern  rites,  the  young  men 
were  jealous  of  one  another,  and  greatly  inclined  to  quarrel. 

Notwithstanding  this  smoldering  animosity,  these  youths  often 
met ;  and  the  saga  relates  that  they  used  to  play  ball  together, 

Early  baU  3,nd  givcs  a  description  of  the  earliest  ball  game  on 
games.  record  in  the  northern  annals.  Viking's  sons,  as 
tall  and  strong  as  he,  were  inclined  to  be  rather  reckless  of  their 
opponents'  welfare,  and,  judging  from  the  following  account, 
translated  from  the  old  saga,  the  players  were  often  left  in  as 
sorry  a  condition  as  after  a  modern  game. 

"  The  next  morning  the  brothers  went  to  the  games,  and  gen- 
erally had  the  ball  during  the  day ;  they  pushed  men  and  let  them 
fall  roughly,  and  beat  others.  At  night  three  men  had  their  arms 
broken,  and  many  were  bruised  or  maimed." 

The  game  between  Njorfe's  and  Viking's  sons  culminated  in  a 
disagreement,  and  one  of  the  former  nine  struck  one  of  the  latter 
a  dangerous  and  treacherous  blow.     Prevented  from  taking  his 


THE   STORY  OF  FRITHIOF.  249 

revenge  then  and  there  by  the  interference  of  the  spectators,  the 
injured  man  made  a  trivial  excuse  to  return  to  the  ball  ground 
alone ;  and,  meeting  his  assailant  there,  he  killed  him. 

When  Viking  heard  that  one  of  his  sons  had  slain  one  of  his 
friend's  children,  he  was  very  indignant,  and,  mindful  of  his  oath 
to  avenge  all  Njorfe's  wrongs,  he  banished  the  young  murderer. 
The  other  brothers,  on  hearing  this  sentence,  all  vowed  that  they 
would  accompany  the  exile,  and  so  Viking  sorrowfully  bade  them 
farewell,  giving  his  sword  Angurvadel  to  Thorsten,  the  eldest, 
and  cautioning  him  to  remain  quietly  on  an  island  in  Lake  Wener 
until  all  danger  of  retaUation  on  the  part  of  Njorfe's  remaining 
sons  was  over. 

The  young  men  obeyed :  but  Njorfe's  sons,  who  had  no  boats 
to  take  them  across  the  lake,  soon  made  use  of  a  conjuror's  art  to 
bring  about  a  great  frost,  and,  accompanied  by  many  armed  men, 
stole  noiselessly  over  the  ice  to  attack  Thorsten  and  his  brothers. 
A  terrible  carnage  ensued,  and  only  two  of  the  attacking  party 
managed  to  escape,  leaving,  as  they  fancied,  all  their  foes  among 
the  dead. 

But  when  Viking  came  to  bury  his  sons,  he  found  that  two  of 
them,  Thorsten  and  Thorer,  were  still  alive,  and  he  secretly  con- 
veyed them  to  a  cellar  beneath  his  dwelling,  where  they  recovered 
from  their  wounds. 

By  magic  arts  Njorfe's  two  sons  discovered  that  their  oppo- 
nents were  not  dead,  and  soon  made  a  second  desperate  but  vain 
attempt  to  kill  them.  Viking  saw  that  the  quarrel  would  be  in- 
cessantly renewed  if  his  sons  remained  at  home ;  so  he  now  sent 
them  to  Halfdan,  whose  court  they  reached  after  a  series  of  ad- 
ventures which  in  many  points  resemble  those  of  Theseus  on  his 
way  to  Athens. 

When  spring  came  Thorsten  embarked  on  a  piratical  excur- 
sion, and  encountered  Jokul,  Njorfe's  eldest  son,  who,  in  the 
mean  while,  had  taken  forcible  possession  of  the  kingdom  of  Sogn, 
after  killing  the  king,  banishing  his  heir,  Bele,  and  changing  his 
beautiful  daughter,  Ingeborg,  into  the  form  of  an  old  witch. 


250  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE   AGES. 

Throughout  the  story  Jokul  is  represented  as  somewhat  of  a 
coward,  for  he  resorted  by  preference  to  magic  when  he  wished  to 
injure  Viking's  sons.  Thus  he  stirred  up  great  tempests,  and  Thor- 
sten,  after  twice  suffering  shipwreck,  was  saved  from  the  waves  by 
the  witch  Ingeborg,  whom  he  promised  to  marry  in  gratitude  for 
her  good  services. 

Thorsten,  advised  by  her,  went  in  search  of  Bele,  replaced  him 
on  his  hereditary  throne,  swore  eternal  friendship  with  him,  and, 
the  baleful  spell  being  removed,  married  the  beautiful  Ingeborg, 
who  dwelt  with  him  at  PVamnas. 

Every  spring  Thorsten  and  Bele  now  set  out  together  in  their 
ships  ;  and,  joining  forces  with  Angantyr,  a  foe  whose  mettle  they 
Thorsten  and  had  duly  tested,  they  proceeded  to  recover  pos- 
^^^^-  session  of  a  priceless  treasure,  a  magic  dragon  ship 

named  EUida,  which  ^gir,  god  of  the  sea,  had  once  given  to 
Viking  in  reward  for  hospitable  treatment,  and  which  had  been 
stolen  from  him. 

"  A  royal  gift  to  behold,  for  the  swelling  planks  of  its  framework 
Were  not  fastened  with  nails,  as  is  wont,  but  groivti  in  together. 
Its  shape  was  that  of  a  dragon  when  swimming,  but  forward 
Its  head  rose  proudly  on  high,  the  throat  with  yellow  gold  flaming  ; 
Its  belly  was  spotted  with  red  and  yellow,  but  back  by  the  rudder 
Coiled  out  its  mighty  tail  in  circles,  all  scaly  with  silver ; 
Black  wings  with  edges  of  red ;  when  all  were  expanded 
EUida  raced  with  the  whistling  storm,  but  outstript  the  eagle. 
When  filled  to  the  edge  with  warriors,  it  sailed  o'er  the  waters, 
You'd  deem  it  a  floating  fortress,  or  warlike  abode  of  a  monarch. 
The  ship  was  famed  far  and  wide,  and  of  ships  was  first  in  the  North." 

Tegn£r,  I'rithiqf  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

The  next  season,  Thorsten,  Bele,  and  Angantyr  conquered  the 
Orkney  Islands,  which  were  given  as  kingdom  to  the  latter,  he 
voluntarily  pledging  himself  to  pay  a  yearly  tribute  to  Bel^. 
Next  Thorsten  and  Bele  went  in  quest  of  a  magic  ring,  or  armlet, 
once  forged  by  Volund,  the  smith,  and  stolen  by  Sote,  a  famous 
pirate. 


THE  STORY  01-    FRtTHIOF.  251 

This  bold  robber  was  so  afraid  lest  some  one  shouUl  gain  pos- 
session of  the  magic  ring,  that  he  had  buried  himself  alive  with  it 
in  a  mound  in  Eretland.  Here  his  ghost  was  said  to  keep  con- 
stant watch  over  it,  and  when  Thorsten  entered  his  tomb,  Bele 
heard  the  frightful  blows  given  and  received,  and  saw  lurid 
gleams  of  supernatural  fire. 

When  Thorsten  finally  staggered  out  of  the  mound,  pale  and 
bloody,  but  triumphant,  he  refused  to  speak  of  the  horrors  he 
had  encountered  to  win  the  coveted  treasure,  nor  would  he  ever 
vouchsafe  further  information  than  this : 

"  'Dearly  bought  is  the  prize,'  said  he  often, 
*  For  I  trembled  but  once  in  my  life,  and  'twas  when  I  seized  it ! ' " 

Tegnek,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

Thus  owner  of  the  three  greatest  treasures  in  the  North,  Thor- 
sten returned  home    to  Framnas,  where  Ingeborg  bore  him   a 
fine  boy,  Frithiof,  the  playmate  of  Halfdan  and         ^.^^j^  ^^ 
Helge,  Bele's  sons.    The  three  youths  were  already     Frithiof  and 
well  grown  when  Ingeborg,  Bele's  little  daughter,         "^^  °^^' 
was  born,  and  as  she  was   intrusted   to   the  care  of   Hilding, 
Frithiof 's  foster  father,  the  children  grew  up  in  perfect  amity. 

"Jocund  they  grew,  in  guileless  glee; 
Young  Frithiof  was  the  sapling  tree  ; 
In  budding  beauty  by  his  side. 
Sweet  Ingeborg,  the  garden's  pride." 

TKcni-K,  Frithiof  Saga    (Longfellow's  tr.). 

Frithiof  soon  became  hardy  and  fearless  under  his  foster 
father's  training,  and  Ingeborg  rapidly  developed  all  the  sweetest 
traits  of  female  loveliness.  Both,  however,  were  happiest  when 
together  ;  and  as  they  grew  older  their  childish  aflfection  daily  be- 
came deeper  and  more  intense,  until  Hilding,  perceiving  this  state 
of  affairs,  bade  the  youth  remember  that  he  was  only  a  subject, 
and  therefore  no  mate  for  the  king's  only  daughter. 


252  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

"  But  Hilding  said,  '  O  foster  son, 
Set  not  thy  heart  her  love  upon. 
For  Destiny  thy  wish  gainsaid ; 
King  Bele's  daughter  is  the  maid  ! 

"  'From  Odin's  self,  in  starry  sky. 
Descends  her  ancestry  so  high ; 
But  thou  art  Thorsten's  son,  so  yield, 
And  leave  to  mightier  names  the  field.'  " 

Tegnkr,  Frithiqf  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

These  wise  admonitions  came  too  late,  however,  and  Frithiof 
vehemently  declared  that  he  would  win  the  fair  Ingeborg  for  his 
Frithiofs  love  bride  in  spite  of  all  obstacles  and  his  comparatively 
for  Ingeborg.     humblc  Origin. 

Shortly  after  this  Bele  and  Thorsten  met  for  the  last  time,  near 
the  magnificent  shrine  of  Balder,  where  the  king,  feeling  that  his 
end  was  near,  had  convened  a  solemn  assembly,  or  Thing,  of  all  his 
principal  subjects,  in  order  to  present  his  sons  Helge  and  Halfdan 
to  the  people  as  his  chosen  successors.  The  young  heirs  were 
very  coldly  received  on  this  occasion,  for  Helge  was  of  a  somber 
and  taciturn  disposition,  and  inclined  to  the  life  of  a  priest,  and 
Halfdan  was  of  a  weak,  effeminate  natiu-e,  and  noted  for  his 
cowardice.  Frithiof,  who  was  present,  and  stood  beside  them, 
cast  them  both  in  the  shade,  and  won  many  admiring  glances  from 
the  throng. 

"But  after  them  came  Frithiof,  in  mantle  blue  — 
He  by  a  head  was  taller  than  th'  other  two. 
He  stood  between  the  brethren,  as  day  should  light 
Between  the  rosy  morning  and  darksome  night." 

Tegnkr,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

After  giving  his  last  instructions  to  his  sons,  and  speaking  kindly 
to  Frithiof,  who  was  his  favorite,  the  old  king  turned  to  his  life- 
long companion,  Thorsten,  to  take  leave  of  him,  but  the  old  war- 
rior declared  that  they  would  not  long  be  parted.  Bale  then  spoke 
again  to  his  sons,  and  bade  them  erect  his  howe,  or  funeral  mound. 


THE   STORY  OF  FRITHIOF.  253 

within  sight  of  that  of  Thorsten,  that  their  spirits  might  commune, 
and  not  be  sundered  even  in  death. 

"  *  But  lay  us  gently,  children,  where  the  blue  wave, 
Beating  harmonious  cadence,  the  shore  doth  lave ; 
Its  murmuring  song  is  pleasant  unto  the  soul, 
And  Uke  a  lamentation  its  ceaseless  roll. 

"  '  And  when  the  moon's  pale  luster  around  us  streams. 
And  midnight  dim  grows  radiant  with  silver  beams, 
There  will  we  sit,  O  Thorsten,  upon  our  graves, 
And  talk  of  bygone  battles  by  the  dark  waves. 

"  'And  now,  farewell,  my  children  !     Come  here  no  more; 
Our  road  lies  to  Allfather's  far-distant  shore, 
E'en  as  the  troubled  river  sweeps  to  the  sea : 
By  Frey  and  Thor  and  Odin  blessed  may  ye  be.' " 

Tegner,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

These  instructions  were  all  piously  obeyed  when  the  aged  com- 
panions had  breathed  their  last.     Then  the  brothers,  Helge  and 
Halfdan,  began  to  rule  their  kingdom,  while  Frithiof,       Heige  and 
their  former  playmate,  withdrew  to  his  own  place        Haifdan. 
at  Framnas,  a  very  fertile  homestead,  lying  in   a  snug  valley 
closed  in  by  the  towering  mountains  and  the  ever-changing  ocean. 

"  Three  miles  extended  around  the  fields  of  the  homestead ;  on 
three  sides 

Valleys  and  mountains  and  hills,  but  on  the  fourth  side  was  the 
ocean. 

Birch-woods  crowned  the  summits,  but  over  the  down-sloping  hill- 
sides 

Flourished  the  golden  corn,  and  man-high  was  waving  the  rye- 
field." 

Tegn^r,  Frithiof  Saga  (Longfellow's  tr.). 

But  although  surrounded  by  faithful  retainers,  and  blessed  with 
much  wealth  and  the  possession  of  the  famous  sword  Angurvadel, 
the  Volund  ring,  and  the  matchless  dragon  ship  Ellida,  Frithiof 
was  unhappy,  because  he  could  no  longer  see  the  fair  Ingeborg 


2  54  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

daily.  With  the  returning  spring,  however,  all  his  former  spirits 
retiirned,  for  both  kings  came  to  visit  him,  accompanied  by  their 
fair  sister,  with  whom  he  lived  over  the  happy  childish  years,  and 
spent  long  hours  in  cheerful  companionship.  As  they  were  thus 
constantly  thrown  together,  Frithiof  soon  made  known  to  Ingeborg 
his  deep  affection,  and  received  in  return  an  avowal  of  her  love. 

"  He  sat  by  her  side,  and  he  pressed  her  soft  hand, 
And  he  felt  a  soft  pressure  responsive  and  bland ; 
Whilst  his  love-beaming  gaze 
Was  returned  as  the  sun's  in  the  moon's  placid  rays." 

Tegn6r,  Frithiof  Saga  (Longfellow's  tr.). 

When  the  visit  was  over  and  the  guests  had  departed,  Frithiof 
informed  his  confidant  and  chief  companion,  Bjorn,  of  his  deter- 

Frithiof's  minatiou  to  follow  them  and  openly  ask  for  Inge- 
suit,  borg's  hand.  His  ship  was  prepared,  and  after  a 
swift  sail  touched  the  shore  near  Balder's  shrine.  Discerning  the 
royal  brothers  seated  in  state  on  Bele's  tomb  to  hsten  to  the  peti- 
tions of  their  subjects,  Frithiof  immediately  presented  himself 
before  them,  and  manfully  made  his  request,  adding  that  the  old 
king  had  always  loved  him  and  would  surely  have  granted  his 
prayer. 

"  They  were  seated  on  Bele's  tomb,  and  o'er 

The  common  folk  administered  law. 

But  Frithiof  speaks, 
And  his  voice  re-echoes  round  valleys  and  peaks. 

"  'Ye  kings,  my  love  is  Ingborg  fair; 

To  ask  her  in  marriage  I  here  repair; 

And  what  I  require 
I  here  maintain  was  King  Bele's  desire. 

"  '  He  let  us  grow  in  Hilding's  care, 

Like  two  young  saplings,  year  by  year; 

And  therefore,  kings, 
Unite  the  full-grown  trees  with  golden  rings.'" 

TEGNfiR,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr,). 


THE   STORY  OF  FRITH  I  OF.  255 

But  although  he  promised  hfelong  fealty  and  the  service  of  his 
strong  right  arm  in  exchange  for  the  boon  he  craved,  Helge  con- 
temptuously dismissed  him.  Enraged  at  the  insult  thus  publicly 
received,  Frithiof  raised  his  invincible  sword ;  but,  remembering 
that  he  stood  on  a  consecrated  spot,  he  spared  the  king,  only 
cutting  the  royal  shield  in  two  to  show  the  strength  of  his  blade, 
and  striding  back  to  his  ship,  he  embarked  and  sailed  away  in  sul- 
len silence. 

"  And  lo  !  cloven  in  twain  at  a  stroke 
Fell  King  Helge's  gold  shield  from  its  pillar  of  oak: 
At  the  clang  of  the  blow, 
The  live  started  above,  the  dead  started  below." 

Tegn6r,  Frithiof  Saga  (Longfellow's  tr.). 

Just  after  his  departure  came  messengers  from  Sigurd  Ring, 
the  aged  King  of  Ringric,  in  Norway,  who,  having  lost  his  wife, 
sent  to  Helge  and  Halfdan  to  ask  Ingeborg's  hand  sigurd  Ring 
in  marriage.  Before  answering  this  royal  suitor,  ^  suitor. 
Helge  consulted  the  Vala,  or  prophetess,  and  the  priests,  and  as 
they  all  declared  that  the  omens  were  not  in  favor  of  this  mar- 
riage, he  gave  an  insolent  refusal  to  the  messengers.  This  impoli- 
tic conduct  so  offended  the  would-be  suitor  that  he  immediately 
collected  an  army  and  prepared  to  march  against  the  Kings  of 
Sogn  to  avenge  the  insult  with  his  sword.  When  the  rumor  of  his 
approach  reached  the  cowardly  brothers  they  were  terrified,  and 
fearing  to  encounter  the  foe  alone,  they  sent  Hilding  to  Frithiof 
to  implore  his  aid. 

Hilding  gladly  undertook  the  mission,  although  he  had  not 
much  hope  of  its  success.  He  found  Frithiof  playing  chess  with 
a  friend,  Bjorn,  and  immediately  made  known  his  errand. 

"  '  From  Bele's  high  heirs 
I  come  with  courteous  words  and  prayers : 
Disastrous  tidings  rouse  the  brave ; 
On  thee  a  nation's  hope  relies. 


256  LEGENDS   OE    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

In  Balder's  fane,  griefs  loveliest  prey, 
Sweet  Ing'borg  weeps  the  livelong  day: 
Say,  can  her  tears  unheeded  fall, 
Nor  call  her  champion  to  her  side  ? '  " 

Tegner,  Frithiof  Saga  (Longfellow's  tr.). 

But  Frithiof  was  so  deeply  offended  that  even  this  appeal  in 
the  name  of  his  beloved  could  not  move  him.  Quietly  he  con- 
tinued his  game  of  chess,  and,  when  it  was  ended,  told  Hilding 
that  he  had  no  answer  to  give.  Rightly  concluding  that  Frithiof 
would  lend  the  kings  no  aid,  Hilding  returned  to  Helge  and  Half- 
dan,  who,  forced  to  fight  without  their  bravest  leader,  preferred 
to  make  a  treaty  with  Sigurd  Ring,  promising  to  give  him  not 
only  their  sister  Ingeborg,  but  also  a  yearly  tribute. 

While  they  were  thus  engaged  at  Sogn  Sound,  Frithiof  has- 
tened to  Balder's  temple,  where,  as  Hilding  had  declared,  he  found 

At  Balder's  lugcborg  a  prey  to  grief.  Now  although  it  was 
shrine.  considered  a  sacrilege  for  man  and  woman  to  ex- 
change a  word  in  the  sacred  building,  Frithiof  could  not  see  his 
beloved  in  tears  without  attempting  to  console  her ;  and,  forget- 
ting all  else,  he  spoke  to  her  and  comforted  her.  He  repeated 
how  dearly  he  loved  her,  quieted  all  her  apprehensions  of  the  gods' 
anger  by  assuring  her  that  Balder,  the  good,  must  view  their  inno- 
cent passion  with  approving  eyes,  said  that  love  as  pure  as  theirs 
could  defile  no  sanctuary,  and  plighted  his  troth  to  her  before 
the  shrine. 

"  '  What  whisper  you  of  Balder's  ire? 
The  pious  god  —  he  is  not  wrath. 
He  loves  himself,  and  doth  inspire 
Our  love —  the  purest  he  calls  forth. 
The  god  with  true  and  steadfast  heart, 
The  sun  upon  his  glittering  form, 
Is  not  his  love  for  Nanna  part 
Of  his  own  nature,  pure  and  warm  ? 

"  '  There  is  his  image  ;  he  is  near. 

How  mild  he  looks  on  me  — how  kind ! 


(Ow  p.-i-.. 


THE     LOVKKS     Al     llAl.DIR'S     SI  IKIN  I..  ~  Kcpkr. 


THE   S-IORY   OF  FRITH IOJ-.  257 

A  sacrifice  to  him  I'll  bear, 

The  offer  of  a  loving  mind. 

Kneel  down  with  me  ;  no  better  gift, 

No  fairer  sure  for  Balder  is, 

Than  two  young  hearts,  whose  love  doth  lift 

Above  the  world  almost  like  his.'  " 

Tegn6r,   Frithiof  Saga   (Spalding's  tr.). 

Reassured  by  this  reasoning,  Ingeborg  no  longer  refused  to  see 
and  converse  with  Frithiof;  and  during  the  kings'  absence  the 
young  lovers  met  every  day,  and  plighted  their  troth  with  Volund's 
ring,  which  Ingeborg  solemnly  promised  to  send  back  to  her  lover 
should  she  break  her  promise  to  live  for  him  alone.  Frithiof 
lingered  there  until  the  kings'  return,  when,  for  love  of  Ingeborg 
the  fair,  he  again  appeared  before  them,  and  pledged  himself  to 
free  them  from  their  thraldom  to  Sigurd  Ring  if  they  would  only 
reconsider  their  decision  and  promise  him  their  sister's  hand. 

"  '  War  is  abroad, 
And  strikes  his  echoing  shield  within  our  borders; 
Thy  crown  and  land.  King  Helge,  are  in  danger ; 
Give  me  thy  sister's  hand,  and  I  will  use 
Henceforth  my  warlike  force  in  thy  defense. 
Let  then  the  wrath  between  us  be  forgotten. 
Unwillingly  I  strive  'gainst  Ingborg's  brother. 
Secure,  O  king,  by  one  fraternal  act 
Thy  golden  crown  and  save  thy  sister's  heart. 
Here  is  my  hand.     By  Thor,  I  ne'er  again 
Present  it  here  for  reconciliation.'  " 

Tegn6r,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr,). 

But  although  this  offer  was  hailed  with  rapture  by  the  assem- 
bled warriors,  it  was  again  scornfully  rejected  by  Helge,  who  de- 
clared that  he  would  have  granted  it  had  not  Fri-  Frithiof  in 
thiof  proved  himself  unworthy  of  all  confidence  by  disgrace, 
defiling  the  temple  of  the  gods.  Frithiof  tried  to  defend  him- 
self;  but  as  he  had  to  plead  guilty  to  the  accusation  of  having 
conversed  with  Ingeborg  at  Balder's  shrine,  he  was  convicted  of 
having  broken  the  law,  and,  in  punishment  therefor,  condemned 

17 


258  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

to  sail  off  to  the  Orkney  Islands  to  claim  tribute  from  the  king, 
Angantyr. 

Before  he  sailed,  however,  he  once  more  sought  Ingeborg,  and 
vainly  tried  to  induce  her  to  elope  with  him  by  promising  her  a 
home  in  the  sunny  south,  where  her  happiness  should  be  his  law, 
and  where  she  should  rule  over  his  subjects  as  his  honored  wife. 
Ingeborg  sorrowfully  refused  to  accompany  him,  saying  that,  since 
her  father  was  no  more,  she  was  in  duty  bound  to  obey  her  brothers 
implicitly,  and  could  not  marry  without  their  consent. 

" '  But  Helge  is  my  father, 
Stands  in  my  father's  place ;  on  his  consent 
Depends  my  hand,  and  Bele's  daughter  steals  not 
Her  earthly  happiness,  how  near  it  be.'  " 

Tegn^r,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

After  a  heartrending  parting  scene,  Frithiof  embarked  upon 
Ellida,  and  sorrowfully  sailed  out  of  the  harbor,  while  Ingeborg 
wept  at  his  departure.  When  the  vessel  was  barely  out  of 
sight,  Helge  sent  for  two  witches  named  Heid  and  Ham,  bid- 
ding them  begin  their  incantations,  and  stir  up  such  a  tempest 
at  sea  that  it  would  be  impossible  for  even  the  god-given  vessel 
Ellida  to  withstand  its  fury,  and  all  on  board  would  perish.  The 
witches  immediately  complied ;  and  with  Helge's  aid  they  soon 
stirred  up  a  storm  unparalleled  in  history. 

"  Helge  on  the  strand 

Chants  his  wizard-spell, 

Potent  to  command 

Fiends  of  earth  or  hell. 
Gathering  darkness  shrouds  the  sky; 
Hark,  the  thunder's  distant  roll! 
Lurid  lightnings,  as  they  fly, 
Streak  with  blood  the  sable  pole. 
Ocean,  boiling  to  its  base, 
Scatters  wide  its  wave  of  foam  ; 
Screaming,  as  in  fleetest  chase, 
Sea-birds  seek  their  island  home." 

'X'EQVikv.,  Frithiof  Saga  (Longfellow's  tr.). 


THE  STORY  OF  FRITH  I  OF.  259 

In  spite  of  tossing  waves  and  whistling  blasts,  Frithiof  sang  a 
cheery  song  to  reassure  his  frightened  crew ;  but  when  the  peril 
grew  so  great  that  his  exhausted  men  gave  them- 
selves up  for  lost,  he  bade  Bjorn  hold  the  rudder, 
and  himself  climbed  up  to  the  mast  top  to  view  the  horizon. 
While  perched  up  there  he  descried  a  whale,  upon  which  the  two 
witches  were  riding  at  ease.  Speaking  to  his  good  ship,  which 
was  gifted  with  the  power  of  understanding  and  obeying  his 
words,  he  now  ran  down  both  witches  and  whale,  and  the  sea 
was  reddened  with  their  blood.  No  sooner  had  they  sunk  than 
the  wind  fell,  the  waves  ceased  to  heave  and  toss  as  before,  and 
soon  fair  weather  again  smiled  over  the  seas. 

"Now  the  storm  has  flown, 
The  sea  is  calm  awhile  ; 
A  gentle  swell  is  blown 
Against  the  neighboring  isle. 

"  Then  at  once  the  sun  arose. 
Like  a  king  who  mounts  his  throne, 
Vivifies  the  world  and  throws 
His  light  on  billow,  field,  and  stone. 
His  new-born  beams  adorn  awhile 
A  dark  green  grove  on  rocky  top, 
All  recognize  a  sea-girt  isle. 
Amongst  the  distant  Orkney's  group." 

Tegn^k,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

Exhausted  by  their  previous  superhuman  efforts  and  by  the 
bailing  of  their  water-logged  vessel,  the  men  were  too  weak  to 
land  when  they  at  last  reached  the  Orkney  Islands,  and  had  to 
be  carried  ashore  by  Bj5rn  and  Frithiof,  who  gently  laid  them 
down  on  the  sand,  bidding  them  rest  and  refresh  themselves  after 
all  the  hardships  they  had  endured, 

"  Tired  indeed  are  all  on  board, 
All  the  crew  of  Frithiofs  men, 
Scarce  supported  by  a  sword, 
Can  they  raise  themselves  again. 


26o  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Bjorn  takes  four  of  them  ashore, 
On  his  mighty  shoulders  wide, 
Frithiof  singly  takes  twice  four, 
Places  them  the  fire  beside. 
'  Blush  not,  ye  pale  ones, 
The  sea's  a  valiant  viking; 
'Tis  hard  indeed  to  fight 
Against  the  rough  sea  waves. 
Lo  !  there  comes  the  mead  horn 
On  golden  feet  descending, 
To  warm  our  frozen  limbs. 
Hail  to  Ingeborg  !  '  " 

Tegn^r,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

The  arrival  of  Frithiof  and  his  men  had  been  seen  by  the 
watchman  of  Angantyr's  castle,  who  immediately  informed  his 
master  of  all  he  had  seen.  The  jarl  exclaimed  that  the  ship  which 
had  weathered  such  a  gale  could  be  none  but  Ellida,  and  that  its 
captain  was  doubtless  Frithiof,  Thorsten's  gallant  son.  At  these 
words  one  of  his  Berserkers,  Atle,  caught  up  his  weapons  and 
strode  out  of  the  hall,  vowing  that  he  would  challenge  Frithiof, 
and  thus  satisfy  himself  concerning  the  veracity  of  the  tales  he 
had  heard  of  the  young  hero's  courage. 

Although  still  greatly  exhausted,  Frithiof  immediately  accepted 

Atle's  challenge,  and,  after  a  sharp  encounter,  threw  his  antago- 

Atie's  ni^t,  whom  he  would  have  slain  then  and  there  had 

chaUenge.  \^\.^  sword  been  within  reach.  Atle  saw  his  inten- 
tion, and  bade  him  go  in  search  of  a  weapon,  promising  to  remain 
motionless  during  his  absence.  Frithiof,  knowing  that  such  a 
warrior's  promise  was  inviolable,  immediately  obeyed ;  but  when 
he  returned  with  his  sword,  and  found  his  antagonist  calmly 
awaiting  death,  he  relented,  and  bade  Atle  rise  and  Hve. 

"  With  patience  long  not  gifted, 
Frithiof  the  foe  would  kill. 
And  Angurvadcl  lifted. 
But  Atle  yet  lay  still. 


THE   STORY  OF  FA' IT!/ I  OF.  261 

This  touched  the  hero's  soul ; 
He  stayed  the  sweeping  brand 
Before  it  reached  its  goal, 
And  took  the  fall'n  one's  hand." 

TE(,N(iK,  Frithiqf  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

Together  these  doughty  warriors  then  wended  their  way  to 
Angantyr's  halls,  where  they  found  a  festal  board  awaiting  them, 
and  there  they  ate  and  drank,  sang  songs,  and  recounted  stones 
of  thrilling  adventure  by  land  and  by  sea. 

At  last,  however,  Frithiof  made  known  his  errand.  Angantyr 
said  that  he  owed  no  tribute  to  Helge,  and  would  pay  him  none  ; 
but  that  he  would  give  the  required  sum  as  a  free  gift  to  his  old 
friend  Thorsten's  son,  leaving  him  at  liberty  to  dispose  of  it  as 
he  pleased.  Then,  since  the  season  was  unpropitious,  and  storms 
continually  swept  over  the  sea,  the  king  invited  Frithiof  to  tarry 
with  him ;  and  it  was  only  when  the  gentle  spring  breezes  were 
blowing  once  more  that  he  at  last  allowed  him  to  depart. 

After  sailing  over  summer  seas,  wafted  along  by  favorable 
winds  for  six  days,  Frithiof  came  in  sight  of  his  home,  Framniis, 
which  had  been  reduced  to  a  shapeless  heap  of  ashes  by  Helge's 
orders.  Sadly  steering  past  the  ruins,  he  an^ived  at  Baldershage, 
where  Hilding  met  him  and  informed  him  that  Ingeborg  was  now 
the  wife  of  Sigurd  Ring.  When  Frithiof  heard  these  tidings  he 
flew  into  a  Berserker  rage,  and  bade  his  men  destroy  all  the  ves- 
sels in  the  harbor,  while  he  strode  up  to  the  temple  alone  in  search 
of  Helge.  He  found  him  there  before  the  god's  image,  roughly 
flung  Angantyr's  heavy  purse  of  gold  in  his  face,  and  when,  as 
he  was  about  to  leave  the  temple,  he  saw  the  ring  he  had  given 
Ingeborg  on  the  arm  of  Helge's  wife,  he  snatched  it  away  from 
her.  In  trying  to  recover  it  she  dropped  the  god's  image,  which 
she  had  just  been  anointing,  into  the  fire,  where  it  was  rapidly 
consumed,  and  the  rising  flames  soon  set  the  temple  roof  in  a 
blaze. 

Frithiof,  horror-stricken  at  the  sacrilege  which  he  had  involun- 
tarily occasioned,  after  vainly  trying  to  extinguish  the  flames  and 


262        LEGENDS   OF    THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

save  the  costly  sanctuary,  escaped  to  his  ship  and  waiting  com- 
panions, to  begin  the  weary  h'fe  of  an  outcast  and  exile. 

"  The  temple  soon  in  ashes  lay. 
Ashes  the  temple's  bovver ; 
Wofully  Frithiof  goes  his  way, 
Weeps  in  the  morning  hour." 

Tegn^r,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

Helge's  men  started  in  pursuit,  hoping  to  overtake  and  punish 
him ;  but  when  they  reached  the  harbor  they  could  not  find  a 

Frithiof  an  single  seaworthy  craft,  and  were  forced  to  stand  on 
exile.  j;}^e  shore  in  helpless  inactivity  while  Ellida's  great 

sails  slowly  sank  beneath  the  horizon.  It  was  thus  that  Frithiof 
sadly  saw  his  native  land  vanish  from  sight ;  and  as  it  disappeared 
he  breathed  a  tender  farewell  to  the  beloved  country  which  he 
never  expected  to  see  again. 

"  *  World-circle's  brow, 
Thou  mighty  North  ! 
I  may  not  go 
Upon  thine  earth; 
But  in  no  other 
I  love  to  dwell ; 
Now,  hero-mother, 
Farewell,  farewell  ! 

"  '  Farewell,  thou  high 
And  heavenly  one, 
Night's  sleeping  eye, 
Midsummer  sun. 
Thou  clear  blue  sky, 
Like  hero's  soul, 
Ye  stars  on  high. 
Farewell,  farewell! 

"  '  Farewell,  ye  mounts 
Where  Honour  thrives, 
And  Thor  recounts 
Good  warriors'  lives. 


THE   STORY  OF  FRITH lOF.  263 

Ye  azure  lakes, 
I  know  so  well, 
Ye  woods  and  brakes, 
Farewell,  farewell ! 

"  '  Farewell,  ye  tombs. 
By  billows  blue, 
The  lime  tree  blooms 
Its  snow  on  you. 
The  Saga  sets 
In  judgment  well 
What  earth  forgets ; 
Farewell,  farewell ! 

**  *  Farewell  the  heath. 
The  forest  hoar 
I  played  beneath. 
By  streamlet's  roar. 
To  childhood's  friends 
Who  loved  me  well. 
Remembrance  sends 
A  fond  farewell! 

"  '  My  love  is  foiled, 
My  rooftree  rent, 
Mine  honour  soiled. 
In  exile  sent ! 
We  turn  from  earth, 
On  ocean  dwell. 
But,  joy  and  mirth, 
Farewell,  farewell ! ' " 

Tegn^r,  Friihiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

After  thus  parting  from  his  native  land,  Frithiof  took  uj)  the 
life  of  a  pirate,  rover,  or  viking,  whose  code  was  never  to  settle 
anywhere,  to  sleep  on  his  shield,  to  fight  and  neither  give  nor 
take  quarter,  to  protect  the  ships  which  paid  him  tribute  and  sack 
the  others,  and  to  distribute  all  tlie  booty  to  his  men,  reserving 
for  himself  nothing  but  the  glory  of  the  enterprise.  Sailing  and 
fighting  thus,  Frithiof  visited  many  lands,  and  came  to  the  sunny 


264  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

isles  of  Greece,  whither  he  would  fain  have  carried  Ingeborg  as 
his  bride ;  but  wherever  he  went  and  whatever  he  did,  he  was 
always  haunted  by  the  recollection  of  his  beloved  and  of  his 
native  land. 

Overcome  at  last  by  homesickness,  Frithiof  returned  northward, 
determined  to  visit  Sigurd  Ring's  court  and  ascertain  whether 
At  the  court  of  Ingeborg  was  really  well  and  happy.  Steering  his 
Sigurd  Ring,  vessel  up  the  Vik  (the  main  part  of  the  Christiania- 
Fiord),  he  intrusted  it  to  Bjorn's  care,  and  alone,  on  foot,  and 
enveloped  in  a  tattered  mantle,  which  he  used  as  disguise,  he  went 
to  the  court  of  Sigurd  Ring,  arriving  there  just  as  the  Yuletide 
festivities  were  being  held.  As  if  in  reality  nothing  more  than  the 
aged  beggar  he  appeared,  Frithiof  sat  down  upon  the  bench  near 
the  door,  where  he  became  the  butt  of  the  courtiers'  rough  jokes  ; 
but  when  one  of  his  tormentors  approached  too  closely  he  caught 
him  in  his  powerful  grasp  and  swung  him  high  above  his  head. 

Terrified  by  this  proof  of  great  strength,  the  courtiers  silently 
withdrew,  while  Sigurd  Ring  invited  the  old  man  to  remove  his 
mantle,  take  a  seat  beside  him,  and  share  his  good  cheer.  Frithiof 
accepted  the  invitation  thus  cordially  given,  and  when  he  had  laid 
aside  his  squalid  outward  apparel  all  started  with  surprise  to  see 
a  handsome  warrior,  richly  clad,  and  adorned  with  a  beautiful  ring. 

"  Now  from  the  old  man's  stooping  head  is  loosed  the  sable  hood, 
When  lo !  a  young  man  smiling  stands,  where  erst  the  old  one  stood. 
See  !     From  his  lofty  forehead,  round  shoulders  broad  and  strong, 
The  golden  locks  flow  glistening,  like  sunlight  waves  along. 

"  He  stood  before  them  glorious  in  velvet  mantle  blue. 
His  baldrics  broad,  with  silver  worked,  the  artist's  skill  did  shew; 
For  round  about  the  hero's  breast  and  round  about  his  waist. 
The  beasts  and  birds  of  forest  wild,  embossed,  each  other  chased. 

''  The  armlet's  yellow  luster  shone  rich  upon  his  arm  ; 
His  war  sword  by  his  side  —  in  strife  a  thunderbolt  alarm. 
Serene  the  hero  cast  his  glance  around  the  men  of  war; 
Bright  stood  he  there  as  Rnlder,  as  tall  as  Asa  Thor." 

TegnAr,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 


("I'll.  /J.  aw 


FRITHIOF    AT    THE    COURT    OF    KING    RING. -Kcpl.: 


THE   STORY  OF  FRITHIOF.  265 

But  although  his  appearance  was  so  unusual,  none  of  the  peo- 
ple present  recognized  him  save  Ingeborg  only ;  and  when  the 
king  asked  him  who  he  was  he  evasively  rephed  that  he  was 
Thiolf  (a  thief),  that  he  came  from  Ulf's  (the  wolf's),  and  had 
been  brought  up  in  Anger  (sorrow  or  grief).  Notwithstanding 
this  unenticing  account  of  himself,  Sigurd  Ring  invited  him  to 
remain  ;  and  Frithiof,  accepting  the  profifered  hospitality,  became 
the  constant  companion  of  the  king  and  queen,  whom  he  accom- 
panied wherever  they  went. 

One  day,  when  the  royal  couple  were  seated  in  a  sleigh  and 
skimming  along  a  frozen  stream,  Frithiof  sped  on  his  skates  before 
them,  performing  graceful  evolutions,  and  cutting  Ingeborg's 
name  deep  in  the  ice.  All  at  once  the  ice  broke  and  the  sleigh 
disappeared ;  but  Frithiof,  springing  forward,  caught  the  horse 
by  the  bridle,  and  by  main  force  dragged  them  all  out  of  their 
perilous  position. 

When  spring  came,  Sigurd  Ring  invited  Frithiof  to  accompany 
him  on  a  hunting  expedition.  The  king  became  separated  from 
all  the  rest  of  his  suite,  and  saying  that  he  was  too  weary  to  con- 
tinue the  chase,  he  lay  down  to  rest  upon  the  cloak  which  Frithiof 
spread  out  for  him,  resting  his  head  upon  his  young  guest's  knee. 

"Then  threw  Frithiof  down  his  mantle,  and  upon  the  greensward 
spread. 
And  the  ancient  king  so  trustful  laid  on  Fritliiof's  knee  his  head ; 
Slept,  as  calmly  as  the  hero  sleepeth  after  war's  alarms 
On  his  shield,  calm  as  an  infant  sleepeth  in  its  mother's  arms." 

Tegn^R,  Frithiof  Saga  (Longfellow's  tr.). 

While  the  aged  king  was  thus  reposing,  the  birds  and  beasts 
of  the  forest  softly  drew  near,  bidding  Frithiof  take  advantage  of 
his  host's  unconsciousness  to  slay  him  and  recover  Frithiofs 
the  bride  of  whom  he  had  been  unfairly  deprived.  loyaity. 
But  although  Frithiof  understood  the  language  of  birds  and 
beasts,  and  his  hot  young  heart  clamored  for  his  beloved,  he 
utterly  refused  to  listen  to  them  ;  and,  fearing  lest  he  should  in- 


2  66  LEGENDS  OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

voluntarily  harm  his  trusting  host,  he  impulsively  flung  his  sword 
far  from  him  into  a  neighboring  thicket. 

A  few  moments  later  Sigurd  Ring  awoke  from  his  feigned  sleep, 
and  after  telling  Frithiof  that  he  had  recognized  him  from  the  first, 
had  tested  him  in  many  ways,  and  had  always  found  his  honor 
fully  equal  to  his  vaunted  courage,  he  bade  him  be  patient  a  little 
longer,  for  his  end  was  very  near,  and  said  that  he  would  die 
happy  if  he  could  leave  Ingeborg,  his  infant  heir,  and  his  king- 
dom in  such  good  hands.  Then,  taking  the  astonished  Frithiof's 
arm,  Sigrn-d  Ring  returned  home,  where,  feeling  death  draw  near, 
he  dedicated  himself  anew  to  Odin  by  carving  the  Geirs-odd,  or 
sacrificial  runes,  deeply  in  his  aged  chest. 

"  Bravely  he  slashes 

Odin's  red  letters, 
Blood-runes  of  heroes,  on  arm  and  on  breast. 

Brightly  the  splashes 

Of  life's  flowing  fetters 
Drip  from  the  silver  of  hair-covered  chest." 

TEGNfR,  Friihiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

When  this  ceremony  was  finished,  Sigurd  Ring  laid  Ingeborg's 
hand  in  Frithiof's,  and,  once  more  commending  her  to  the  young 
hero's  loving  care,  closed  his  eyes  and  breathed  his  last. 

All  the  nation  assembled  to  raise  a  mound  for  Sigurd  Ring; 
and  by  his  own  request  the  funeral  feast  was  closed  by  a  banquet 

r,  .    .t.  ,       to  celebrate  the  betrothal  of  Ingeborg  and  Frithiof. 

Betrothal  o  o 

of  Frithiof  and  The  latter  had  won  the  people's  enthusiastic  ad- 
inge  org.  miration ;  but  when  the)'-  would  fain  have  elected 
him  king,  Frithiof  raised  Sigurd  Ring's  little  son  up  on  his  shield 
and  presented  him  to  the  assembled  nobles  as  their  future  king, 
publicly  swearing  to  uphold  him  until  he  was  of  age  to  defend 
himself.  The  child,  weary  of  his  cramped  position  on  the  shield, 
boldly  sprang  to  the  ground  as  soon  as  Frithiof's  speech  was 
ended,  and  alighted  upon  his  feet.  This  act  of  daring  in  so 
small  a  child  was  enough  to  win  the  affection  and  admiration  of 
all  his  rude  subjects. 


THE   STOKY   ()/■    FRninOF.  267 


According  to  some  accounts,  Frithiof  now  made  war  against 
Ingeborg's  brothers,  and  after  conquering  them,  allowed  them  to 
retain  their  kingdom  only  upon  condition  of  their  paying  him  a 
yearly  tribute.  Then  he  and  Ingeborg  remained  in  Ringric  until 
the  young  king  was  able  to  assume  the  government,  when  they 
repaired  to  Hordaland,  a  kingdom  Frithiof  had  obtained  by  con- 
quest, and  which  he  left  to  his  sons  Gungthiof  and  Hunthiof. 

But  according  to  Tegner's  poem,  Frithiof,  soon  after  his  second 
betrothal  to  Ingeborg,  made  a  pious  pilgrimage  to  his  father's 
resting  place,  and  while  seated  on  the  latter's  funeral  Frithiofs 
mound,  plunged  in  melancholy  and  remorse  at  the  vision, 
sight  of  the  desolation  about  him,  he  was  favored  by  a  vision  of  a 
new  temple,  more  beautiful  than  the  first,  within  whose  portals  he 
beheld  the  three  Norns. 

"And  lo  !  reclining  on  their  runic  shields 
The  mighty  Nomas  now  the  portal  fill ; 
Three  rosebuds  fair  which  the  same  garden  yields, 
With  aspect  serious,  but  charming  still. 
Whilst  Urda  points  upon  the  blackened  fields, 
The  fairy  temple  Skulda  doth  reveal. 
When  Frithiof  first  his  dazzled  senses  cleared, 
Rejoiced,  admired,  the  vision  disappeared." 

Tegn^r,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 

The  hero  immediately  understood  that  the  gods  had  thus 
pointed  out  to  him  a  means  of  atonement,  and  spared  neither 
wealth  nor  pains  to  restore  Balder's  temple  and  grove,  which 
soon  rose  out  of  the  ashes  in  more  than  their  former  splendor. 

When  the  temple  was  all  fini.shed,  and  duly  consecrated  to 
Balder's  service,  Frithiof  received  Ingeborg  at  the  altar  from  her 
brothers'  hands,  and  ever  after  lived  on  amicable  terms  with  them. 

"  Now  stepped  Halfdan  in 
Over  the  brazen  threshold,  and  with  wistful  look 
Stood  silent,  at  a  distance  from  the  dreaded  one. 
Then  Frithiof  loosed  the  Harness-hater  from  his  thigh, 
Against  the  altar  placed  the  golden  buckler  round, 


268  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

And  forward  came  unarmed  to  meet  his  enemy: 
'  In  such  a  strife,'  thus  he  commenced,  with  friendly  voice, 
'The  noblest  he  who  first  extends  the  hand  of  peace.' 
Then  blushed  King  Halfdan  deep,  and  drew  his  gauntlet  oflf, 
And  long-divided  hands  now  firmly  clasped  each  other, 
A  mighty  pressure,  steadfast  as  the  mountain's  base. 
The  old  man  then  absolved  him  from  the  curse  which  lay 
Upon  the  Varg  i  Veum,i  on  the  outlawed  man. 
And  as  he  spake  the  words,  fair  Ingeborg  came  in, 
Arrayed  in  bridal  dress,  and  followed  by  fair  maids, 
E'en  as  the  stars  escort  the  moon  in  heaven's  vault. 
Whilst  tears  suffused  her  soft  and  lovely  eyes,  she  fell 
Into  her  brother's  arms,  but  deeply  moved  he  led 
His  cherished  sister  unto  Frithiof  s  faithful  breast, 
And  o'er  the  altar  of  the  god  she  gave  her  hand 
Unto  her  childhood's  friend,  the  darling  of  her  heart." 

Tegn6r,  Frithiof  Saga  (Spalding's  tr.). 
1  Wolf  in  the  sanctuaries. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 


RAGNAR      LODBROK. 


"  Last  from  among  the  Heroes  one  came  near, 
No  God,  but  of  the  hero  troop  the  chief — 
Regner,  who  swept  the  northern  sea  with  fleets, 
And  ruled  o'er  Denmark  and  the  heathy  isles, 
Living  ;   but  Ella  captured  him  and  slew ;  — 
A  king  whose  fame  then  fiU'd  the  vast  of  Heaven, 
Now  time  obscures  it,  and  men's  later  deeds." 

Matthew  Arnold.  Balder  Dead. 

Raonar  Lodbrok,  who  figures  in  history  as  the  contemporary 
of  Charlemagne,  is  one  of  the  great  northern  heroes,  to  whom 
many  mythical  deeds  of  valor  are  ascribed.  His  Ragnar  Lod- 
story  has  given  rise  not  only  to  the  celebrated  Rag-  ^^°^  ^^e*- 
nar  Lodbrok  saga,  so  popular  in  the  thirteenth  century,  but  also 
to  many  poems  and  songs  by  ancient  scalds  and  modern  poets. 
The  material  of  the  Ragnar  Lodbrok  saga  was  probably  largely 
borrowed  from  the  Volsunga  saga  and  from  the  saga  of  Dietrich 
von  Bern,  the  chief  aim  of  the  ancient  composers  being  to  con- 
nect the  Danish  dynasty  of  kings  with  the  great  hero  Sigurd,  the 
slayer  of  Fafnir,  and  therebv  to  prove  that  their  ancestor  was  no 
less  a  person  than  Odin. 

The  hero  of  this  saga  was  Ragnar,  the  son  of  Sigurd  Ring  and 
his  first  wife,  Alfild.  According  to  one  version  of  the  story,  as 
we  have  seen,  Sigurd  Ring  married  Ingeborg,  and  died,  leaving 
Frithiof  to  protect  his  young  son.    According  to  another,  Sigurd 

269 


270  LEGEXDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Ring  appointed  Ragnar  as  his  successor,  and  had  him  recognized 
as  future  ruler  by  the  Thing  before  he  set  out  upon  his  last  mili- 
tary expedition. 

This  was  a  quest  for  a  new  wife  named  Alfsol,  a  princess  of 
Jutland,  with  whom,  in  spite  of  his  advanced  years,  he  had  fallen 
passionately  in  love.  Her  family,  however,  rudely  refused  Sigurd 
Ring's  request.  When  he  came  to  win  his  bride  by  the  force 
of  arms,  and  they  saw  themselves  defeated,  they  poisoned  Alfsol 
rather  than  have  her  fall  alive  into  the  viking's  hands. 

Sigurd  Ring,  finding  a  corpse  where  he  had  hoped  to  clasp  a 
living  and  loving  woman,  was  so  overcome  with  grief  that  he  now 
resolved  to  die  too.  By  his  orders  Alfsol's  body  was  laid  in  state 
on  a  funeral  pyre  on  his  best  ship.  Then,  when  the  fire  had  been 
kindled,  and  the  ship  cut  adrift  from  its  moorings,  Sigurd  Ring 
sprang  on  board,  and,  stabbing  himself,  was  burned  with  the  fair 
maiden  he  loved. 

Ragnar  was  but  fifteen  years  old  when  he  found  himself  called 
upon  to  reign ;  but  just  as  he  outshone  all  his  companions  in 
beauty  and  intelligence,  so  he  could  match  the  bravest  heroes  in 
courage  and  daring,  and  generally  escaped  uninjured  from  every 
battle,  owing  to  a  magic  shirt  which  his  mother  had  woven  for 
him. 

"  '  I  give  thee  the  long  shirt. 
Nowhere  sewn, 
Woven  with  a  loving  mind. 

Of  hair [obscure  word]. 

Wounds  will  not  bleed 

Nor  will  edges  bite  thee 

In  the  holy  garment; 

It  was  consecrated  to  the  gods.'" 

Ragnar  Lodbrok  Saga. 

Of  course  the  young  hero  led  out  his  men  every  summer  upon 
some  exciting  viking  expedition,  to  test  their  courage  and  supply 
them  with  plunder ;  for  all  the  northern  heroes  proudly  boasted 
that  the  sword  was  their  god  and  gold  was  their  goddess. 


RAGKAR  I.ODBROK.  271 

On  one  occasion  Ragnar  landed  in  a  remote  part  of  Norway, 
and  having  climbed  one  of  the  neighboring  mountains,  he  looked 
down  upon  a  fruitful  valley  inhabited  by  Lodgerda, 

•  1  1  11-1         ,    •         ,  ,  Lodgerda. 

a  warrior  maiden  who  delighted  in  the  chase  and 
all  athletic  exercises,  and  ruled  over  all  that  part  of  the  country. 
Ragnar  immediately  resolved  to  visit  this  fair  maiden  ;  and,  see- 
ing her  manifold  attractions,  he  soon  fell  in  love  with  her  and 
married  her.  She  joined  him  in  all  his  active  pursuits ;  but  in 
spite  of  all  his  entreaties,  she  would  not  consent  to  leave  her  na- 
tive land  and  accompany  him  home. 

After  spending  three  years  in  Norway  with  Lodgerda,  the  young 
viking  became  restless  and  unhappy ;  and  learning  that  his  king- 
dom had  been  raided  during  his  prolonged  absence,  he  parted 
from  his  wife  in  hot  haste.  He  pursued  his  enemies  to  Whitaby 
and  to  Lym-Fiord,  winning  a  signal  victory  over  them  in  both 
places,  and  then  reentered  his  capital  of  Hledra  in  triumph,  amid 
the  acclamations  of  his  joyful  people. 

He  had  not  been  resting  long  upon  his  newly  won  laurels  when 
a  northern  seer  came  to  his  court,  and  showed  him  in  a  magic 
mirror  the  image  of  Thora,  the  beautiful  daughter  of  Jarl  H er- 
rand in  East  Gothland.  Ragnar,  who  evidently  considered  him- 
self freed  from  all  matrimonial  bonds  by  his  wife's  refusal  to  ac- 
company him  home,  eagerly  questioned  the  seer  concerning  the 
radiant  vision. 

This  man  then  revealed  to  him  that  Thora,  having  at  her 
father's  request  carefully  brought  up  a  dragon  from  an  egg 
hatched  by  a  swan,  had  at  last  seen  it  assume  such  colossal  pro- 
portions that  it  coiled  itself  all  around  the  house  where  she  dwelt. 
Here  it  watched  over  her  with  jealous  care,  allowing  none  to  ap- 
proach except  the  servant  who  brought  the  princess  her  meals 
and  who  provided  an  ox  daily  for  the  monster's  sustenance.  Jarl 
Herrand  had  offered  Thora's  hand  in  marriage,  and  immense  sums 
of  gold,  to  any  hero  brave  enough  to  slay  this  dragon ;  but  none 
dared  venture  within  reach  of  its  powerful  jaws,  whence  came  fire, 
venom,  and  noxious  vapors. 


2)2  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Ragnar,  who  as  usual  thirsted  for  adventure,  immediately  made 
up  his  mind  to  go  and  fight  this  dragon  ;  and,  after  donning  a  pe- 
culiar leather  and  woolen  garment,  all  smeared  over  with  pitch, 
he  attacked  and  successfully  slew  the  monster. 

"  '  Nor  long  before 
In  arms  I  reached  the  Gothic  shore, 
To  work  the  loathly  serpent's  death. 
I  slew  the  reptile  of  the  heath.'" 

Death  Song  of  Regner  Lodbrock  (Herbert's  tr.). 

In  commemoration  of  this  victory,  Ragnar  ever  after  bore  also 

the  name  of  Lodbrok  (Leather  Hose),  although  he  laid  aside  this 

Origin  of  name   garment  as  soon  as  possible,  and  appeared  in  royal 

Lodbrok.        ^^ixh   to  rcceivc  his  prize,   the  beautiful   maiden 

Thora,  whom  he  had  delivered,  and  whom  he  now  took  to  be  his 

wife. 

"  '  My  prize  was  Thora ;  from  that  fight, 
'Mongst  warriors  am  I  Lodbrock  hight. 
I  pierced  the  monster's  scaly  side 
With  steel,  the  soldier's  wealth  and  pride.'  " 

Death  Song  of  Regner  Lodbrock  (Herbert's  tr.) . 

Thora  gladly  accompanied  Ragnar  back  to  Hledra,  lived  hap- 
pily with  him  for  several  years,  and  bore  him  two  sturdy  sons, 
Agnar  and  Erik,  who  soon  gave  proof  of  uncommon  courage. 
Such  was  Ragnar's  devotion  to  his  new  wife  that  he  even  forbore 
to  take  part  in  the  usual  viking  expeditions,  to  linger  by  her  side. 
All  his  love  could  not  long  avail  to  keep  her  with  him,  however, 
for  she  soon  sickened  and  died,  leaving  him  an  inconsolable 
widower. 

To  divert  him  from  his  great  sorrow,  his  subjects  finally  pro- 
posed that  he  should  resume  his  former  adventm-ous  career,  and 
prevailed  upon  him  to  launch  his  dragon  ship  once  more  and  to 
set  sail  for  foreign  shores.  Some  time  during  the  cruise  their 
bread  supply  failed,  and  Ragnar  steered  his  vessel  into  the  port 


RAGNAR    I.OJ)BNOh'.  273 

of  Spangarhede,  where  he  bade  his  men  cany  their  flour  asliore 
and  ask  the  people  in  a  hut  which  he  descried  there  to  help  them 
knead  and  bake  their  bread.  The  sailors  obeyed  ;  but  when  they 
entered  the  loAvIy  hut  and  saw  the  filthy  old  woman  who  appeared 
to  be  its  sole  occupant,  they  hesitated  to  bespeak  her  aid. 

While  they  were  deliberating  what  they  should  do,  a  beautiful 
girl,  poorly  clad,  but  immaculately  clean,  entered  the  hut ;  and  the 
old  woman,  addressing  her  as  Krake  (Crow),  bade 

Krake. 

her  see  what  the  strangers  wanted.  They  told  her, 
and  admiringly  watched  her  as  she  deftly  fashioned  the  dough  into 
loaves  and  slipped  them  into  the  hot  oven.  She  bade  the  sail- 
ors watch  them  closely,  lest  they  should  bum  ;  but  these  men 
forgot  all  about  their  loaves  to  gaze  upon  her  as  she  flitted  about 
the  house,  and  the  result  was  that  their  bread  was  badly  burned. 

When  they  returned  to  the  vessel,  Ragnar  Lodbrok  reproved 
them  severely  for  their  carelessness,  until  the  men,  to  justify  them- 
selves, began  describing  the  maiden  Krake  in  such  glowing  terms 
that  the  chief  finally  expressed  a  desire  to  see  her.  With  the 
view  of  testing  her  wit  and  intelligence,  as  well  as  her  beauty, 
Ragnar  sent  a  message  bidding  her  appear  before  him  neither 
naked  nor  clad,  neither  alone  nor  unaccompanied,  neither  fasting 
nor  yet  having  partaken  of  any  food. 

This  singular  message  was  punctually  delivered,  and  Krake, 
who  was  as  clever  as  beautiful,  soon  presented  herself,  with  a  fish 
net  wound  several  times  around  her  graceful  form,  her  sheep  dog 
beside  her,  and  the  odor  of  the  leek  she  had  bitten  into  still 
hovering  over  her  ruby  lips. 

Ragnar,  charmed  by  her  ingenuity  no  less  than  by  her  extreme 
beauty,  then  and  there  proposed  to  marry  her.  But  Krake,  who 
was  not  to  be  so  lightly  won,  declared  that  he  must  first  prove 
the  depth  of  his  affection  by  remaining  constant  to  her  for  one 
whole  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  she  would  marry  him  if  he 
still  cared  to  claim  her  hand. 

The  year  passed  by ;  Ragnar  returned  to  renew  his  suit,  and 
Krake,  satisfied  that  she  had  inspired  no  momentary  passion,  for- 
18 


2  74  LEGENDS   OF    THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

sook  the  aged  couple  and  accompanied  the  great  viking  to  Hle- 

dra,  where  she  became  queen  of  Denmark.     She  bore  Ragnar 

r     foiu-sons, — Ivar,  Bjorn.  Hvitserk,  and  Rogenwald, 

Marriage  of  j  7      j         .  o  ' 

Ragnar  and      — who  from  earliest  infancy  longed  to  emulate  the 

Krake 

prowess  of  their  father,  Ragnar,  and  of  their  step- 
brothers, Erik  and  Agnar,  who  even  in  their  youth  were  already 
great  vikings. 

The  Danes,  howeVer,  had  never  fully  approved  of  Ragnar's 
last  marriage,  and  murmured  frequently  because  they  were  obliged 
to  obey  a  lowborn  queen,  and  one  who  bore  the  vulgar  name  of 
Krake.  Little  by  little  these  murmurs  grew  louder,  and  finally 
they  came  to  Ragnar's  ears  while  he  was  visiting  Eystein,  King 
of  Svithiod  (Sweden).  Craftily  his  courtiers  went  to  work,  and  fi- 
nally prevailed  upon  him  to  sue  for  the  princess's  hand.  He  did 
so,  and  left  Sweden  promising  to  divorce  Krake  when  he  reached 
home,  and  to  return  as  soon  as  possible  to  claim  his  bride. 

As  Ragnar  entered  the  palace  at  Hledra,  Krake  came,  as  usual, 
to  meet  him.  His  conscience  smote  him,  and  he  answered  all 
her  tender  inquiries  so  roughly  that  she  suddenly  turned  and 
asked  him  why  he  had  made  aiTangements  to  divorce  her  and 
take  a  new  wife.  Surprised  at  her  knowledge,  for  he  fancied  the 
matter  still  a  secret,  Ragnar  Lodbrok  asked  who  had  told  her. 
Thereupon  Krake  explained  that,  feeling  anxious  about  him,  she 
had  sent  her  pet  magpies  after  him,  and  that  the  birds  had  come 
home  and  revealed  all. 

This  answer,  which  perhaps  gave  rise  to  the  common  expres- 
sion, "  A  little  bird  told  me,"  greatly  astonished  Ragnar.  He  was 
about  to  try  to  excuse  himself  when  Krake,  draw- 

Aslaug. 

ing  herself  up  proudly,  declared  that  while  she  was 
perfectly  ready  to  depart,  it  was  but  just  that  he  should  now  learn 
that  her  extraction  was  far  less  humble  than  he  thought.  She  then 
proceeded  to  tell  him  that  her  real  name  was  Aslaug,  and  that  she 
was  the  daughter  of  Sigurd  Fafnisbane  (the  slayer  of  Fafnir)  and 
the  beautiful  Valkyr  Brunhild.  Her  grandfather,  or  her  foster 
father,  Heimir,  to  protect  her  from  the  foes  who  would  fain  have 


A'AGX.Uk    I.ODBROK.  275 

taken  her  life,  had  hidden  her  in  his  hollow  harp  when  she  was 
but  a  babe.  He  had  tenderly  cared  for  her  until  he  was  treach- 
erously murdered  by  peasants,  who  had  found  her  in  the  hollow 
harp  instead  of  the  treasure  they  sought  there. 

"Let  be  —  as  ancient  stories  tell  — 
Full  knowledge  upon  Ragnar  fell 
In  lapse  of  time,  that  this  was  she 
Begot  in  the  felicity 
Swift-fleeting  of  the  wondrous  twain, 
Who  afterwards  through  change  and  pain 
Must  live  apart  to  meet  in  death." 

William  Morris,  The  Fostering  of  Aslaug. 

In  proof  of  her  assertion,  Aslaug  then  produced  a  ring  and  a 
letter  which  had  belonged  to  her  illustrious  mother,  and  foretold 
that  her  next  child,  a  son,  would  bear  the  image  of  a  dragon  in 
his  right  eye,  as  a  sign  that  he  was  a  grandson  of  the  Dragon 
Slayer,  whose  memory  was  honored  by  all. 

Convinced  of  the  truth  of  these  statements,  Ragnar  no  longer 
showed  any  desire  to  repudiate  his  wife ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  he 
besought  her  to  remain  with  him,  and  bade  his  subjects  call  her 
Aslaug. 

Shortly  after  this  reconciliation  the  queen  gave  birth  to  a  fifth 
son,  who,  as  she  had  predicted,  came  into  the  world  with  a  pecul- 
iar birthmark,  to  which  he  owed  his  name — Sigurd  sigurd  the 
the  Snake-eyed.  As  it  was  customary  for  kings  to  Snake-eyed. 
intrust  their  sons  to  some  noted  warrior  to  foster,  this  child  was 
given  to  the  celebrated  Norman  pirate,  Hastings,  who,  as  soon 
as  his  charge  had  attained  a  suitable  age,  taught  him  the  art  of 
viking  warfare,  and  took  him,  with  his  four  elder  brothers,  to  raid 
the  coasts  of  all  the  southern  countries. 

Ivar,  the  eldest  of  Ragnar  and  Aslaug's  sons,  although  crip- 
pled from  birth,  and  unable  to  walk  a  step,  was  always  ready 
to  join  in  the  fray,  into  the  midst  of  which  he  was  borne  on  a 
shield.  From  this  point  of  vantage  he  shot  arrow  after  arrow, 
with  fatal  accuracy  of  aim.     As  he  had  employed  much  of  his 


276  LEGENDS   OE   THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

leisure  time  in  learning  runes  ^  and  all  kinds  of  magic  arts,  he  was 
often  of  great  assistance  to  his  brothers,  who  generally  chose  him 
leader  of  their  expeditions. 

While  Ragnar's  five  sons  were  engaged  in  fighting  the  English 
at  Whitaby  to  punish  them  for  plundering  and  setting  fire  to  some 
Danish  ships,  Rogenwald  fell  to  rise  no  more. 

Eystein,  the  Swedish  king,  now  assembled  a  large  army  and 
declared  war  against  the  Danes,  because  their  monarch  had  failed 
The  enchanted  t^  return  at  the  appointed  time  and  claim  the  bride 
t^ow.  fQj.  yyhom  he  had  sued.     Ragnar  would  fain  have 

gone  forth  to  meet  the  enemy  in  person,  but  Agnar  and  Erik,  his 
two  eldest  sons,  craved  permission  to  go  in  his  stead.  They  met 
the  Swedish  king,  but  in  spite  of  their  valor  they  soon  succumbed 
to  an  attack  made  by  an  enchanted  cow. 

"  '  We  smote  with  swords  ;  at  dawn  of  day 
Hundred  spearmen  gasping  lay, 
Bent  beneath  the  arrowy  strife. 
Egill  reft  my  son  of  life ; 
Too  soon  my  Agnar's  youth  was  spent, 
The  scabbard  thorn  his  bosom  rent.'  " 

Death  Song  of  Regner  Lodbrock  (Herbert's  tr.). 

Ragnar  was  about  to  sally  forth  to  avenge  them,  when  Hast- 
ings and  the  other  sons  returned.  Then  Aslaug  prevailed  upon 
her  husband  to  linger  by  her  side  and  delegate  the  duty  of  re- 
venge to  his  sons.  In  this  battle  Ivar  made  use  of  his  magic  to 
slay  Eystein's  cow,  which  could  make  more  havoc  than  an  army 
of  warriors.  His  brothers,  having  slain  Eystein  and  raided  the 
country,  then  sailed  off  to  renew  their  depredations  elsewhere. 

This  band  of  vikings  visited  the  coasts  of  England,  Ireland, 
France,  Italy,  Greece,  and  the  Greek  isles,  plundering,  murder- 
ing, and  burning  wherever  they  went.  Assisted  by  Hastings,  the 
brothers  took  Wiflisburg  (probably  the  Roman  Aventicum),  and 
even  besieged  Luna  in  Etruria. 

1  Sec  Gucrber's  Myths  of  Northern  Lands,  p.  39. 


RAGNAR    r.ODBROK.  2ii 

As  this  city  was  too  strongly  fortified  and  too  well  garrisoned 
to  yield  to  an  assault,  the  Normans  (as  all  the  northern  pirates 
were  indiscriminately  called  in  the  South)  resolved  to  secure  it  by 
stratagem.  They  therefore  pretended  that  Hastings,  their  leader, 
was  desperately  ill,  and  induced  a  bishop  to  come  out  of  the  town 
to  baptize  him,  so  that  he  might  die  in  the  Christian  faith.  Three 
days  later  they  again  sent  a  herald  to  say  that  Hastings  had  died, 
and  that  his  last  wish  had  been  to  be  buried  in  a  Christian  church. 
They  therefore  asked  permission  to  enter  the  city  unarmed,  and 
bear  their  leader  to  his  last  resting  place,  promising  not  only  to 
receive  baptism,  but  also  to  endow  with  great  wealth  the  church 
where  Hastings  was  buried. 

The  inhabitants  of  Luna,  won  by  these  specious  promises,  im- 
mediately opened  their  gates,  and  the  funeral  procession  filed 
solemnly  into  the  city.  But,  in  the  midst  of  the  Hastings's 
mass,  the  coffin  lid  flew  open,  and  Hastings  sprang  stratagem, 
out,  sword  in  hand,  and  killed  the  officiating  bishop  and  priests. 
This  example  was  followed  by  his  soldiers,  who  produced  the 
weapons  they  had  concealed  upon  their  persons,  and  slew  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town. 

These  lawless  invaders  were  about  to  proceed  to  Romaburg 
(Rome),  and  sack  that  city  also,  but  were  deterred  by  a  pilgrim 
whom  they  met.  He  told  them  that  the  city  was  so  far  away  that  he 
had  worn  out  two  pairs  of  iron-soled  shoes  in  coming  from  thence. 
The  Normans,  believing  this  tale,  which  was  only  a  stratagem 
devised  by  the  quick-witted  pilgrim,  spared  the  Eternal  City, 
and,  reembarking  in  their  vessels,  sailed  home. 

Ragnar  Lodbrok,  in  the  mean  while,  had  not  been  inactive,  but 
had  continued  his  adventurous  career,  winning  numerous  battles, 
and  bringing  home  much  plunder  to  enrich  his  kingdom  and 

subjects. 

"  *  I  have  fought  battles 
Fifty  and  one 
Which  were  famous; 
I  have  wounded  many  men.'  " 

Ragnar' s  Sons'  Saga. 


278  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

The  hero's  last  expedition  was  against  Ella,  King  of  Northum- 
berland. From  the  very  outset  the  gods  seemed  to  have  decided 
that  Ragnar  should  not  prove  as  successful  as  usual.  The  poets 
tell  us  that  they  even  sent  the  Valkyrs  (battle  maidens  of  northern 
mythology)  to  warn  him  of  his  coming  defeat,  and  to  tell  him 
of  the  bliss  awaiting  him  in  Valhalla. 

"  '  Regner  !  tell  thy  fair-hair'd  bride 
She  must  slumber  at  thy  side  ! 
Tell  the  brother  of  thy  breast 
Even  for  him  thy  grave  hath  rest ! 
Tell  the  raven  steed  which  bore  thee 
When  the  wild  wolf  fled  before  thee, 
He  too  with  his  lord  must  fall, — 
There  is  room  in  Odin's  Hall ! '  " 

Mrs.  He.mans,  Valkyrinr  Song. 

In  spite  of  this  warning,  Ragnar  went  on.  Owing  to  the  magic 
shirt  he  wore,  he  stood  unharmed  in  the  midst  of  the  slain  long 
Death  of  Rag-  ''ifter  all  his  brave  followers  had  perished ;  and  it 
nar  Lodbrok.  ^^^^  Qj^jy  ^{^^^  ^  wholc  day's  fighting  that  the  ene- 
my finally  succeeded  in  making  him  a  prisoner.  Then  the  fol- 
lowers of  Ella  vainly  besought  Ragnar  to  speak  and  tell  his  name. 
As  he  remained  obstinately  silent  they  finally  flung  him  into  a  den 
of  snakes,  where  the  reptiles  crawled  all  over  him,  vainly  trying  to 
pierce  the  magic  shirt  with  their  venomous  fangs.  Ella  perceived 
at  last  that  it  was  this  garment  which  preserved  his  captive  from 
death,  and  had  it  forcibly  removed.  Ragnar  was  then  thrust  back 
amid  the  writhing,  hissing  snakes,  which  bit  him  many  times.  Now 
that  death  was  near,  the  hero's  tongue  was  loosened,  not  to  give 
vent  to  weak  complaints,  but  to  chant  a  triumphant  death  song, 
in  which  he  recounted  his  manifold  battles,  and  foretold  that  his 
brave  sons  would  avenge  his  cruel  death. 

"  '  Grim  stings  the  adder's  forked  dart; 
The  vipers  nestle  in  my  heart. 
But  soon,  I  wot,  shall  Vider's  wand, 
Fixed  in  Ella's  bosom  stand. 


RAGNAR  LODBROK.  279 

My  youthful  sons  with  rage  will  swell, 
Listening  how  their  father  fell ; 
Those  gallant  boys  in  peace  unbroken 
Will  never  rest,  till  I  be  wrokcn  [avenged].'  " 

Death  Song 0/ Rcgner  Lodbrock  (Herbert's  tr.). 

This  heroic  strain  has  been  immortalized  by  ancient  scalds  and 
modern  poets.  They  have  all  felt  the  same  admiration  for  the 
dauntless  old  viking,  who,  even  amid  the  pangs  of  death,  gloried  in 
his  past  achievements,  and  looked  ardently  forward  to  his  sojourn 
in  Valhalla.  There,  he  fancied,  he  would  still  be  able  to  indulge 
in  warfare,  his  favorite  pastime,  and  would  lead  the  einheriar 
(spirits  of  dead  warriors)  to  their  daily  battles. 

"  '  Cease,  my  strain  !     I  hear  a  voice 
From  realms  where  martial  souls  rejoice ; 
I  hear  the  maids  of  slaughter  call, 
Who  bid  me  hence  to  Odin's  hall: 
High  seated  in  their  blest  abodes 
I  soon  shall  quaff  the  drink  of  gods. 
The  hours  of  life  have  glided  by  ; 
I  fall,  but  smiling  shall  I  die.' " 

Death  Song  of  Regtter  Lodbrock  (Herbert's  tr.). 

Ragnar  Lodbrok's  sons  had  reached  home,  and  were  peacefully 
occupied  in  playing  chess,  when  a  messenger  came  to  announce 
their  father's  sad  end.  In  their  impatience  to  Founding  of 
avenge  him  they  started  out  without  waiting  to  London, 
collect  a  large  force,  and  in  spite  of  many  inauspicious  omens. 
Ella,  who  expected  them,  met  them  with  a  great  host,  composed 
not  only  of  all  his  own  subjects  but  also  of  many  allies,  among 
whom  was  King  Alfred.  In  spite  of  their  valor  the  Normans 
were  completely  defeated  by  the  superior  forces  of  the  enemy, 
and  only  a  few  of  them  survived.  Ivar  and  his  remaining  fol- 
lowers consented  to  surrender  at  last,  provided  that  Ella  would 
atone  for  their  losses  by  giving  them  as  much  land  as  an  oxhide 
would  inclose.    This  seemingly  trifling  request  was  granted  with- 


28o  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

out  demur,  nor  could  the  king  retract  his  promise  wlien  he  saw 
that  the  oxhide,  cut  into  tiny  strips,  inclosed  a  vast  space  of  land, 
upon  which  the  Normans  now  proceeded  to  construct  an  almost 
impregnable  fortress,  called  Lunduna  Burg  (London). 

Here  Ivar  took  up  his  permanent  abode,  while  his  brothers 
returned  to  Hledra.  Little  by  litde  he  alienated  the  affections  of 
Ella's  subjects,  and  won  them  over  to  him  by  rich  gifts  and  art- 
ful flattery.  When  sure  of  their  allegiance,  he  incited  them  to  re- 
volt against  the  king  ;  and  as  he  had  solemnly  sworn  never  to  bear 
arms  against  Ella,  he  kept  the  letter  of  his  promise  by  sending  for 
his  brothers  to  act  as  their  leaders. 

As  a  result  of  this  revolution  Ella  was  made  prisoner.  Then 
the  fierce  vikings  stretched  him  out  upon  one  of  those  rude  stone 
Death  of  altars  which  can  still  be  seen  in  England,  and  ruth- 
^"^-  lessly  avenged  their  father's  cruel  death  by  cutting 

the  bloody  eagle  upon  him.i  After  Ella's  death,  Ivar  became 
even  more  powerful  than  before,  while  his  younger  brothers  con- 
tinued their  viking  expeditions,  took  an  active  part  in  all  the 
piratical  incursions  of  the  time,  and  even,  we  are  told,  besieged 
Paris  in  the  reign  of  Louis  the  Fat. 

Other  Danish  and  Scandinavian  vikings  were  equally  venture- 
some and  successful,  and  many  eventually  settled  in  the  lands 
which  they  had  conquered.  Among  these  was  the  famous  Rollo 
(Rolf  Ganger),  who,  too  gigantic  in  stature  to  ride  horseback, 
always  went  on  foot.  He  setded  with  his  followers  in  a  fertile 
province  in  northern  France,  which  owes  to  them  its  name  of 
Normandy. 

The  rude  independence  of  the  Northmen  is  well  illustrated  by 
their  behavior  when  called  to  court  to  do  homage  for  this  new 
fief.  Rollo  was  directed  to  place  both  his  hands  between  those 
of  the  king,  and  take  his  vow  of  allegiance  ;  so  he  submitted  with 
indifferent  grace.  But  when  he  was  told  that  he  must  conclude 
the  ceremony  by  kissing  the  monarch's  foot,  he  obstinately  re- 
fused to  do  so.    A  proxy  was  finally  suggested,  and  Rollo,  calling 

1  See  Ouerber's  Myths  of  Northern  T.aads,  p.  85. 


r 


RAGNAR  LODBROK.  281 

one  of  his  Berserkers,  bade  him  take  his  place.  The  stalwart 
giant  strode  forward,  but  instead  of  kneehng,  he  grasped  the 
king's  foot  and  raised  it  to  his  h'ps.  As  the  king  did  not  expect 
such  a  jerk,  he  lost  his  balance  and  fell  heavily  backward.  All 
the  Frenchmen  present  were,  of  course,  scandalized  ;  but  the  bar- 
barian refused  to  make  any  apology,  and  strode  haughtily  out  of 
the  place,  vowing  he  would  never  come  to  court  again. 

All  the  northern  pirates  were,  as  we  have  seen,  called  Nor- 
mans. They  did  not  all  settle  in  the  North,  however,  for  many 
of  them  found  their  way  into  Italy,  and  even  to  Constantinople. 
There  they  formed  the  celebrated  Varangian  Guard,  and  faith- 
fully watched  over  the  safety  of  the  emperor.  It  was  probably 
one  of  these  soldiers  who  traced  the  runes  upon  the  stone  lion 
which  was  subsequently  transferred  to  Venice,  where  it  now  adorns 
the  Piazza  of  St.  Mark's. 

"  Rose  the  Norseman  chief  Hardrada,  like  a  lion  from  his  lair; 
His  the  fearless  soul  to  conquer,  his  the  willing  soul  to  dare. 
Gathered  Skald  and  wild  Varingar,  where  the  raven  banner  shone. 
And  the  dread  steeds  of  the  ocean,  left  the  Northland's  frozen  zone." 

Vail,  Marri's  Vision. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


THE    CID. 


The  ballads  of  the  Cid,  which  number  about  two  hundred,  and 
some  of  which  are  of  undoubted  antiquity,  were  not  committed 
BaUadsofthe    ^^  writing  Until  the  twelfth  century,  when  a  poem 
^"^-  of  about  three  thousand  lines  was  composed.    This 

poem,  descriptive  of  a  national  hero's  exploits,  was  probably  writ- 
ten about  half  a  century  after  his  death.  The  earliest  manu- 
script  of  it  now  extant  bears  the  date  either  1245  or  1345.  The 
Cid  was  a  real  personage,  named  Rodrigo  Diaz,  or  Ruy  Diaz. 
He  was  born  in  Burgos,  in  the  eleventh  century,  and  won  the 
name  of  "Cid"  (Conqueror)  by  defeating  five  Moorish  kings, 
when  Spain  had  been  in  the  hands  of  the  Arabs  for  more  than 
three  centiiries. 

"  Mighty  victor,  never  vanquish'd, 

Bulwark  of  our  native  land, 
Shield  of  Spain,  her  boast  and  glory, 

Knight  of  the  far-dreaded  brand, 
Venging  scourge  of  Moors  and  traitors, 

Mighty  thunderbolt  of  war. 
Mirror  bright  of  chivalry, 

Ruy,  my  Cid  Campeador  !  " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

Rodrigo  was  still  a  young  and  untried  warrior  when  his  aged 
father,  Diego  Laynez,  was  grossly  and  publicly  insulted  by  Don 
Gomez,  who  gave  him  a  blow  in  the  face.  Diego  was  far  too 
feeble  to  seek  the  usual  redress,  arms  in  hand ;   but  the  insult 


THE  cm.  283 

rankled  deep  in  his  heart,  prc\cniing  him  from  either  sleeping  or 
eating,  and  imbittering  every  moment  of  his  life. 

"Sleep  was  banish'd  from  his  eyelids; 
Not  a  mouthful  could  he  taste; 
There  he  sat  with  downcast  visage,  — 
Direly  had  he  been  disgrac'd. 

"Never  stirr'd  he  from  his  chamber; 
With  no  friends  would  he  converse, 
Lest  the  breath  of  his  dishonor 

Should  pollute  them  with  its  curse." 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

At  last,  however,  Diego  confessed  his  shame  to  his  son  Rodrigo, 
who  impetuously  vowed  to  avenge  him.  Armed  with  his  father's 
cross-hilted  sword,  and  encouraged  by  his  solemn 

'  °  ■'  Don  Gomez 

blessing,  Rodrigo  marched  into  the  hall  of  Don  Go-        slain  by 
mez,  and  challenged  him  to  fight.     In  spite  of  his  °  '^'^°' 

youth,  Rodrigo  conducted  himself  so  bravely  in  this  his  first  en- 
counter that  he  slew  his  opponent,  and  by  shedding  his  blood 
washed  out  the  stain  upon  his  father's  honor,  according  to  the 
chivalric  creed  of  the  time.  Then,  to  convince  Diego  that  he 
had  been  duly  avenged,  the  young  hero  cut  oflF  the  head  of  Don 
Gomez,  and  triumphantly  laid  it  before  him. 

"  'Ne'er  again  thy  foe  can  hann  thee; 
All  his  pride  is  now  laid  low ; 
Vain  his  hand  is  now  to  smite  thee, 
And  this  tongue  is  silent  now.' " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

Happy  once  more,  old  Diego  again  left  home,  and  went  to 
King  Ferdinand's  court,  where  he  bade  Rodrigo  do  homage  to 
the  king.  The  proud  youth  obeyed  this  command  Defeat  of  the 
with  indifferent  grace,  and  his  bearing  was  so  de-  Moors, 
fiant  that  the  frightened  monarch  banished  him  from  his  presence. 
Rodrigo  therefore  departed  with  three  hundred  kindred  spirits. 
He  soon  encountered  the  Moors,  who  were  invading  Castile,  de- 


284  LEGENDS   OE    THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

feated  them  in  battle,  took  five  of  their  kings  prisoners,  and  re- 
leased them  only  after  they  had  promised  to  pay  tribute  and  to 
refrain  from  further  warfare.  They  were  so  grateful  for  their  lib- 
erty that  they  pledged  themselves  to  do  his  will,  and  departed, 
calling  him  "  Cid,"  the  name  by  which  he  was  thenceforth  known. 
As  Rodrigo  had  delivered  the  land  from  a  great  danger,  King 
Ferdinand  now  restored  him  to  favor  and  gave  him  an  honorable 
place  among  his  courtiers,  who,  however,  were  all  somewhat  in- 
clined to  be  jealous  of  the  fame  the  young  man  had  won.  Shortly 
after  his  triumphant  return,  Dona  Ximena,  daughter  of  Don 
Gomez,  also  appeared  in  Burgos,  and,  falling  at  the  king's  feet, 
demanded  justice.  Then,  seeing  the  Cid  among  the  courtiers,  she 
vehemently  denounced  him  for  having  slain  her  father,  and  bade 
him  take  her  life  also,  as  she  had  no  wish  to  survive  a  parent  whom 
she  adored. 

"  *  Thou  hast  slain  the  best  and  bravest 
That  e'er  set  a  lance  in  rest; 
Of  our  holy  faith  the  bulwark,  — 
Terror  of  each  Paynim  breast. 

**  *  Traitorous  murderer,  slay  me  also  ! 
Though  a  woman,  slaughter  me  ! 
Spare  not  —  I'm  Ximena  Gomez, 
Thine  eternal  enemy ! 

"  '  Here's  my  throat  —  smite,  I  beseech  thee'. 
Smite,  and  fatal  be  thy  blow ! 
Death  is  all  I  ask,  thou  caitifif,  — 
Grant  this  boon  unto  thy  foe.'  " 

Ancietit  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

As  this  denunciation  and  appeal  remained  without  effect  (for 
the  king  had  been  too  well  served  by  the  Cid  to  listen  to  any  ac- 
cusation against  him),  the  distressed  damsel  departed,  only  to  re- 
tiu*n  to  court  three  times  upon  the  same  fruitless  errand.  During 
this  time  the  valor  and  services  of  the  Cid  had  been  so  frequently 
discussed  in  her  presence  that  on  her  fifth  visit  to  Ferdinand  she 


THE    Cll).  28 5 

consented  to  forego  all  further  thoughts  of  vengeance,  if  the  king 
would  but  order  the  young  hero  to  marry  her  instead. 

"  '  I  am  daughter  of  Don  Gomez, 
Count  of  Gormaz  was  he  hight, 
Him  Rodrigo  by  his  valor 
Did  o'erthrow  in  mortal  fight. 

"  '  King,  I  come  to  crave  a  favor  — 
This  the  boon  for  which  I  pray, 
That  thou  give  me  this  Rodrigo 
For  my  wedded  lord  this  day.' " 

Ancient  SJ>a7iish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

The  king,  who  had  suspected  for  some  time  past  that  the  Cid 
had  fallen  in  love  with  his  fair  foe,  immediately  sent  for  him. 
Rodrigo  entered  the  city  with  his  suite  of  three  hun-  Marriage  of  the 
dred  men,  proposed  marriage  to  Ximena,  and  was  ^''^• 

accepted  on  the  spot.  His  men  then  proceeded  to  array  him  richly 
for  his  wedding,  and  bound  on  him  his  famous  sword  Tizona,  which 
he  had  won  from  the  Moors.  The  marriage  was  celebrated  with 
much  pomp  and  rejoicing,  the  king  giving  Rodrigo  the  cities  of 
Valduerna,  Soldaiia,  Belforado,  and  San  Pedro  de  Cardena  as  a 
marriage  portion.  When  the  marriage  ceremony  was  finished, 
Rodrigo,  wishing  to  show  his  wife  all  honor,  declared  that  he  would 
not  rest  until  he  had  won  five  battles,  and  would  only  then  really 
consider  himself  entitled  to  claim  her  love. 

"  '  A  man  I  slew  —  a  man  I  give  thee  — 
Here  I  stand  thy  will  to  bide  ! 
Thou,  in  place  of  a  dead  father. 
Hast  a  husband  at  thy  side.'" 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

Before  beginning  this  war,  however,  the  Cid  remembered  a  vow 
he  had  made ;  and,  accompanied  by  twenty  brave  young  hidal- 
gos, he  set  out  for  a  pious  pilgrimage  to  Santiago 

°  1-  r    &  o  o      ^^g  Z\6:%  piety. 

de  Compostela,  the  shrine  of  the  patron  saint  of 

Spain.    On  his  way  thither  he  frequently  distributed  alms,  paused 

to  recite  a  prayer  at  every  church  and  wayside  shrine,  and,  meet- 


2  86  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

ing  a  leper,  ate,  drank,  and  even  slept  with  him  in  a  village  inn. 
When  Rodrigo  awoke  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  he  found  his 
bedfellow  gone,  but  was  favored  by  a  vision  of  St.  Lazarus,  who 
praised  his  charity,  and  promised  him  great  temporal  prosperity 
and  eternal  life. 

"  '  Life  shall  bring  thee  no  dishonor  — 
Thou  shalt  ever  conqueror  be ; 
Death  shall  find  thee  still  victorious, 
For  God's  blessing  rests  on  thee.'  " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

When  his  pilgrimage  was  ended,  Rodrigo  further  showed  his 
piety  by  setting  aside  a  large  sum  of  money  for  the  establishment 
of  a  leper  house,  which,  in  honor  of  the  saint  who  visited  him,  was 
called  "  St.  Lazarus."  He  then  hastened  oflF  to  Calahorra,  a  fron- 
tier town  of  Castile  and  Aragon,  which  was  a  bone  of  contention 
between  two  monarchs. 

Just  before  the  Cid's  arrival,  Don  Ramiro  of  Aragon  had  ar- 
ranged with  Ferdinand  of  Castile  that  their  quarrel  should  be  de- 
cided by  a  duel  between  two  knights.  Don  Ramiro  therefore 
selected  as  his  champion  Martin  Gonzalez,  while  Ferdinand  in- 
trusted his  cause  to  the  Cid.  The  duel  took  place  ;  and  when  the 
two  champions  found  themselves  face  to  face,  Martin  Gonzalez 
began  to  taunt  Rodrigo,  telling  him  that  he  would  never  again 
be  able  to  mount  his  favorite  steed  Babiega,  or  see  his  wife,  as  he 
was  doomed  to  die. 

"  '  Sore,  Rodrigo,  must  thou  tremble 
Now  to  meet  me  in  the  fight, 
Since  thy  head  will  soon  be  sever'd 
For  a  trophy  of  my  might. 

"  '  Never  more  to  thine  own  castle 
Wilt  thou  turn  Babie^a's  rein  ; 
Never  will  thy  lov'd  Ximcna 
See  thee  at  her  side  again.'  " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 


THE    CID.  287 

This  boasting  did  not  in  the  least  (h'smay  the  Cid,  who  fought 
so  bravely  that  he  defeated  Martin  Gonzalez,  and  won  such  plau- 
dits that  the  jealousy  of  the  Castilian  knights  was  further  excited. 
In  tlieir  envy  they  even  plotted  with  the  Moors  to  slay  Rodrigo 
by  treachery.  This  j)lan  did  not  succeed,  however,  because  the 
Moorish  kings  whom  he  had  captured  and  released  gave  him  a 
timely  warning  of  the  threatening  danger. 

The  king,  angry  at  this  treachery,  banished  the  jealous  court- 
iers, and,  aided  by  Rodrigo,  defeated  the  hostile  Moors  in  Estre- 
madura.  There  the  Christian  army  besieged  Coimbra  in  vain  for 
seven  whole  months,  and  were  about  to  give  up  in  despair  of  se- 
curing the  city,  when  St.  James  appeared  to  a  pilgrim,  promising 
his  help  on  the  morrow. 

When  the  battle  began,  the  Cliristian  knights  were  fired  by  the 
example  of  a  radiant  warrior,  mounted  on  a  snow-white  steed, 
who  led  them  into  the  thickest  of  the  fray  and  Battle  cry  of 
helped  them  win  a  signal  victory.  This  knight,  ^^^  Spaniards, 
whom  no  one  recognized  as  one  of  their  own  warriors,  was  imme- 
diately hailed  as  St.  James,  and  it  was  his  name  which  the  Span- 
iards then  and  there  adopted  as  their  favorite  battle  cry. 

The  city  of  Coimbra  having  been  taken,  Don  Rodrigo  was  duly 
knighted  by  the  king ;  while  the  queen  and  princesses  vied  with 
one  another  in  helping  him  don  the  different  pieces  of  his  armor, 
for  they  too  were  anxious  to  show  how  highly  they  valued  his 
services. 

After  a  few  more  victories  over  his  country's  enemies,  the  tri- 
umphant Cid  returned  to  Zamora,  where  Ximena,  his  wife,  was 
waiting  for  him,  and  where  the  five  Moorish  kings  sent  not  only 
the  promised  tribute,  but  rich  gifts  to  their  generous  conqueror. 
Although  the  Cid  rejoiced  in  these  tokens,  he  gave  all  the  tribute 
and  the  main  part  of  the  spoil  to  Ferdinand,  his  liege  lord,  for  he 
considered  the  glory  of  success  a  sufficient  reward  for  himself. 

While  the  Cid  was  thus  resting  upon  his  laurels,  a  great  coun- 
cil had  been  held  at  Florence,  where  the  Emperor  (Henry  III.)  of 
Germany  complained  to  the  Pope  that  King  Ferdinand  had  not 


2  88  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

done  him  homage  for  his  crown,  and  that  he  refused  to  acknowl- 
edge his  superiority.  The  Pope  immediately  sent  a  message  to 
King  Ferdinand  asking  for  homage  and  tribute,  and  threatening 
a  crusade  in  case  of  disobedience.  This  unwelcome  message 
greatly  displeased  the  Spanish  ruler,  and  roused  the  indignation  of 
the  Cid,  who  declared  that  his  king  was  the  vassal  of  no  monarch, 
and  offered  to  fight  any  one  who  dared  maintain  a  contrary  opinion. 

"  '  Never  yet  have  we  done  homage  — 
Shall  we  to  a  stranger  bow  ? 
Great  the  honor  God  hath  given  us  — 
Shall  we  lose  that  honor  now  ? 

"  '  Send  then  to  the  Holy  Father, 
Proudly  thus  to  him  reply  — 
Thou,  the  king,  and  I,  Rodrigo, 
Him  and  all  his  power  defy.'" 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

This  challenge  was  sent  to  the  Pope,  who,  not  averse  to  having 
the  question  settled  by  the  judgment  of  God,  bade  the  emperor 
send  a  champion  to  meet  Rodrigo.  This  imperial  champion  was 
of  course  defeated,  and  all  King  Ferdinand's  enemies  were  so 
grievously  routed  by  the  ever-victorious  Cid  that  no  further  de- 
mands of  homage  or  tribute  were  ever  made. 

Old  age  had  now  come  on,  and  King  Ferdinand,  after  receiv- 
ing divine  warning  of  his  speedy  demise,  died.  He  left  Castile 
to  his  eldest  son,  Don  Sancho,  Leon  to  Don  Alfonso,  Galicia  to 
Don  Garcia,  and  gave  his  daughters.  Dona  Urraca  and  Dona  El- 
vira, the  wealthy  cities  of  Zamora  and  Toro.  Of  course  this  dis- 
posal of  property  did  not  prove  satisfactory  to  all  his  heirs,  and 
Don  Sancho  was  especially  displeased,  because  he  coveted  the 
whole  realm.  He,  however,  had  the  Cid  to  serve  him,  and  selected 
this  doughty  champion  to  accompany  him  on  a  visit  to  Rome, 
knowing  that  he  would  brook  no  insult  to  his  lord.  These  previ- 
sions were  fully  justified,  for  the  Cid,  on  noticing  that  a  less  ex- 
alted seat  had  been  prepared  for  Don  Sancho  than  for  the  King 


THE  cm.  289 

of  France,  became  so  violent  that  the  Pope  excommunicated  him. 
But  when  the  seats  had  been  made  of  even  height,  the  Cid,  who 
was  a  good  Cathoh'c,  humbled  himself  before  the  Pope,  and  the 
latter,  knowing  the  hero's  value  as  a  bulwark  against  the  heathen 
Moors,  immediately  granted  him  full  absolution. 

"  '  I  absolve  thee,  Don  Ruy  Diaz, 
I  absolve  thee  cheerfullv, 
If,  while  at  my  court,  thou  showest 
Due  respect  and  courtesy.'  " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

On  his  return  to  Castile,  Don  Sancho  found  himself  threatened 
by  his  namesake,  the  King  of  Navarre,  and  by  Don  Ramiro  of 
Aragon.  They  both  invaded  Castile,  but  were  igno-  The  cid 
minously  repulsed  by  the  Cid.  As  some  of  the  Campeador. 
Moors  had  helped  the  invaders,  the  Cid  next  proceeded  to  punish 
them,  and  gave  up  the  siege  of  Saragossa  only  when  the  inhabit- 
ants made  terms  with  him.  This  campaign  won  for  the  Cid  the 
title  of  "  Campeador  "  (Champion),  which  he  well  deserved,  as  he 
was  always  ready  to  do  battle  for  his  king. 

While  Don  Sancho  and  his  invaluable  ally  were  thus  engaged, 
Don  Garcia,  King  of  Galicia,  who  was  also  anxious  to  increase 
his  kingdom,  deprived  his  sister  Doha  Urraca  of  her  city  of  Za- 
mora.  In  her  distress  the  infanta  came  to  Don  Sancho  and  made 
her  lament,  thereby  affording  him  the  long-sought  pretext  to  wage 
war  against  his  brother,  and  rob  him  of  his  kingdom. 

This  war,  in  which  the  Cid  reluctantly  joined,  threatened  at  one 
time  to  have  serious  consequences  for  Sancho.  He  even  once 
found  himself  a  prisoner  of  Garcia's  army,  shortly  after  Garcia 
had  been  captured  by  his.  The  Cid,  occupied  in  another  part  of 
the  field,  no  sooner  heard  of  this  occurrence  than  he  hastened  to 
the  Galician  nobles  to  offer  an  exchange  of  prisoners  ;  but,  as  they 
rejected  his  offer  with  contempt,  he  soon  left  them  in  anger. 

"  '  Hie  thee  hence,  Rodrigo  Diaz, 
An  thou  love  thy  liberty  ; 

19 


290  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

Lest,  with  this  thy  king,  we  take  thee 
Into  dire  captivity.'" 

Aticient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

The  wrath  which  the  Cid  Campeador  experienced  at  this  dis- 
courteous treatment  so  increased  his  usual  strength  that  he  soon 
put  the  enemy  to  flight,  recovered  possession  of  his  king,  and  not 
only  made  Don  Garcia  a  prisoner,  but  also  secured  Don  Alfonso, 
who  had  joined  in  the  revolt.  Don  Garcia  was  sent  in  chains  to 
the  castle  of  Luna,  where  he  eventually  died,  entreating  that  he 
might  be  bm^ied,  with  his  fetters,  in  the  city  of  Leon. 

As  for  Don  Alfonso,  Doha  Urraca  pleaded  his  cause  so  suc- 
cessfully that  he  was  allowed  to  retire  into  a  monastery,  whence 

Alfonso  at  ^^  soon  effected  his  escape  and  joined  the  Moors 
Toledo.  at  Toledo.  There  he  became  the  companion  and 
ally  of  Ahmaymon,  learned  all  his  secrets,  and  once,  during  a  pre- 
tended nap,  overheard  the  Moor  state  that  even  Toledo  could  be 
taken  by  the  Christians,  provided  they  had  the  patience  to  begin 
a  seven-years'  siege,  and  to  destroy  all  the  harvests  so  as  to  re- 
duce the  people  to  starvation.  The  information  thus  accident- 
ally obtained  proved  invaluable  to  Alfonso,  as  will  be  seen,  and 
enabled  him  subsequently  to  drive  the  Moors  out  of  the  city  of 
Toledo. 

In  the  mean  while  Sancho,  not  satisfied  with  his  triple  king- 
dom, robbed  Doha  Elvira  of  Toro,  and  began  to  besiege  Dona 
Urraca  in  Zamora,  which  he  hoped  to  take  also  in  spite  of  its 
almost  impregnable  position. 

"  '  See  !  where  on  yon  cliff  Zamora 
Lifteth  up  her  haughty  brow  ; 
Walls  of  strength  on  high  begird  her, 
Duero  swift  and  deep  below.'" 

Ancient  S/anisA  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

The  king,  utterly  regardless  of  the  Cid's  openly  expressed  opin- 
ion that  it  was  unworthy  of  a  knight  to  attempt  to  deprive  a  woman 
of  her  inheritance,  now  bade  him  carry  a  message  to  Doha  Ur- 


THE  cm.  291 

raca,  summoning  her  to  surrender  at  once.  The  hero  went  reluc- 
tantly, but  only  to  be  bitterly  reproached  by  Urraca.  She  dis- 
missed him  after  consulting  her  assembled  people,  who  vowed  to 
die  ere  they  would  surrender. 

"  Then  did  swear  all  her  brave  vassals 
In  Zamora's  walls  to  die, 
Ere  unto  the  king  they'd  yield  it, 
And  disgrace  their  chivalry." 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  rr.). 

This  message  so  enraged  Don  Sancho  that  he  banished  the  Cid. 
The  latter  departed  for  Toledo,  whence  he  was  soon  recalled,  how- 
ever, for  his  monarch  could  do  nothing  without  him.         siege  of 
Thus  restored  to  favor,  the  Cid  began  the  siege  of        Zamora. 
Zamora,  which  lasted  so  long  that  the  inhabitants  began  to  suffer 
all  the  pangs  of  famine. 

At  last  a  Zamoran  by  the  name  of  Vellido  (Bellido)  Dolfos 
came  out  of  the  town  in  secret,  and,  under  pretense  of  betraying 
the  city  into  Don  Sancho's  hands,  obtained  a  private  interview 
with  him.  Dolfos  availed  himself  of  this  opportunity  to  murder 
the  king,  and  rushed  back  to  the  city  before  the  crime  was  dis- 
covered. He  entered  the  gates  just  in  time  to  escape  from  the 
Cid,  who  had  mounted  hastily,  without  spurs,  and  thus  could  not 
urge  Babie9a  on  to  his  utmost  speed  and  overtake  the  murderer. 

"  '  Cursed  be  the  wretch  !  and  cursed 
He  who  mounteth  without  spur  ! 
Had  I  arm'd  my  heels  with  rowels, 
I  had  slain  the  treacherous  cur.' " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

The  grief  in  the  camp  at  the  violent  death  of  the  king  was  verj' 
great.  Don  Diego  Ordonez  immediately  sent  a  challenge  to  Don 
Arias  Gonzalo,  who,  while  accepting  the  combat  for  his  son,  swore 
that  none  of  the  Zamorans  knew  of  the  dastardly  deed,  which 
Dolfos  alone  had  planned. 


292  LEGENDS   OE    THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

"  '  Fire  consume  us,  Count  Gonzalo, 
If  in  this  we  guilty  be  ! 
None  of  us  within  Zamora 
Of  this  deed  had  privity. 

"  '  Dolfos  only  is  the  traitor; 

None  but  he  the  king  did  slay. 
Thou  canst  safely  go  to  battle, 

God  will  be  thy  shield  and  stay.'  " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

This  oath  was  confirmed  by  the  outcome  of  the  duel,  and  none 
of  the  besiegers  ever  again  ventured  to  doubt  the  honor  of  the 
Zamorans. 

As  Don  Sancho  had  left  no  children  to  inherit  his  kingdom,  it 
came  by  right  of  inheritance  to  Don  Alfonso,  who  was  still  at 
Toledo,  a  nominal  guest,  but  in  reality  a  prisoner. 
Doha  Urraca,  who  was  deeply  attached  to  her 
brother,  now  managed  to  convey  to  him  secret  information  of 
Don  Sancho's  death,  and  Don  Alfonso  cleverly  effected  his  es- 
cape, turning  his  pursuers  off  his  track  by  reversing  his  horse's 
shoes.  When  he  arrived  at  Zamora,  all  were  ready  to  do  him 
homage  except  the  Cid,  who  proudly  held  aloof  until  Don  Alfonso 
had  publicly  sworn  that  he  had  not  bribed  Dolfos  to  commit  the 
dastardly  crime  which  had  called  him  to  the  throne. 

"  '  Wherefore,  if  thou  be  but  guiltless. 
Straight  I  pray  of  thee  to  swear,  — 
Thou  and  twelve  of  these  thy  liegemen, 
Who  with  thee  in  exile  were, — 
That  in  thy  late  brother's  death 
Thou  hadst  neither  part  nor  share 
That  none  of  ye  to  his  murder 
Privy  or  consenting  were.' " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

The  king,  angry  at  being  thus  called  upon  to  answer  for  his 
conduct  to  a  mere  subject,  viewed  the  Cid  with  great  dislike,  and 
only  awaited  a  suitable  occasion  to  take  his  revenge.     During  a 


THE   CID.  293 

war  with  the  Moors  he  made  use  ol"  a  trifling  pretext  to  banish  him, 
allowing  him  only  nine  days  to  prepare  for  departure.  The  Cid 
accepted  this  cruel  decree  with  dignity,  hoping  that  the  time  would 
never  come  when  the  king  would  regret  his  absence,  and  his  coun- 
try need  his  right  arm. 

"  '  I  obey,  O  King  Alfonso, 

Guilty  though  in  naught  I  be. 
For  it  doth  behoove  a  vassal 
To  obey  his  lord's  decree ; 
Prompter  far  am  I  to  serve  thee 
Than  thou  art  to  guerdon  me. 

"  *  I  do  pray  our  Holy  Lady 
Her  protection  to  afford, 
That  thou  never  mayst  in  battle 

Need  the  Cid's  right  arm  and  sword.' " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

Amid  the  weeping  people  of  Burgos,  who  dared  not  offer  him 
help  and  shelter  lest  they  should  incur  the  king's  wrath,  lose  all 
their  property,  and  even  forfeit  their  eyesight,  the  Cid  slowly 
rode  away,  and  camped  without  the  city  to  make  his  final  arrange- 
ments. Here  a  devoted  follower  supplied  him  with  the  necessary 
food,  remarking  that  he  cared  "not  a  fig"  for  Alfonso's  prohibi- 
tions, which  is  probably  the  first  written  record  of  the  use  of  this 
now  popular  expression. 

To  obtain  the  necessary  money  the  Cid  pledged  two  locked 
coffers  full  of  sand  to  the  Jews.     They,  thinking  that  the  boxes 
contained  vast  treasures,  or  relying  upon  the  Cid's      The  cid  in 
promise  to  release  them  for  a  stipulated  sum,  ad-  *"''*• 

vanced  him  six  hundred  marks  of  gold.  The  Cid  then  took  leave 
of  his  beloved  wife  Ximena,  and  of  his  two  infant  daughters,  whom 
he  intrusted  to  the  care  of  a  worthy  ecclesiastic,  and,  followed  by 
three  hundred  men,  he  rode  slowly  away  from  his  native  land, 
vowing  that  he  would  yet  return,  covered  with  glory,  and  bring- 
ing great  .spoil. 


294        LEGENDS   OE    THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

"  '  Comrades,  should  it  please  high  Heaven 

That  we  see  Castile  once  more, — 
Though  we  now  go  forth  as  outcasts, 

Sad,  dishonor'd,  homeless,  poor, — 
We'll  return  with  glory  laden 

And  the  spoilings  of  the  Moor.'  " 

Ancieiit  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhiirt's  tr  ). 

Such  success  attended  the  little  band  of  exiles  that  within  the 
next  three  weeks  they  won  two  strongholds  from  the  Moors,  and 
much  spoil,  among  which  w^as  the  sword  Colada,  which  Avas  sec- 
ond only  to  Tizona.  From  the  spoil  the  Cid  selected  a  truly  regal 
present,  which  he  sent  to  Alfonso,  who  in  return  granted  a  general 
pardon  to  the  Cid's  followers,  and  published  an  edict  allowing  all 
who  wished  to  fight  against  the  Moors  to  join  him.  A  few  more 
victories  and  another  present  so  entirely  dispelled  Alfonso's  dis- 
pleasure that  he  restored  the  Cid  to  favor,  and,  moreover,  prom- 
ised that  thereafter  thirty  days  should  be  allowed  to  every  exile 
to  prepare  for  his  departure. 

When  Alimaymon,  King  of  Toledo,  died,  leaving  Toledo  in  the 
hands  of  his  grandson  Yahia,  who  was  generally  disliked,  Alfonso 
thought  the  time  propitious  for  carrying  out  his  long-cherished 
scheme  of  taking  the  city.  Thanks  to  the  valor  of  the  Cid  and 
the  destruction  of  all  the  crops,  the  siege  of  the  city  progressed 
favorably,  and  it  finally  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Christian  king. 

A  second  misunderstanding,  occasioned  principally  by  the  jeal- 
ous courtiers,  caused  Alfonso  to  insult  the  Cid,  who  in  anger  left 
the  army  and  made  a  sudden  raid  in  Castile.  During  his  absence, 
the  Moors  resumed  courage,  and  became  masters  of  Valencia. 
Hearing  of  this  disaster,  the  Cid  promptly  returned,  recaptured  the 
city,  and,  establishing  his  headquarters  there,  asked  Alfonso  to 
send  him  his  wife  and  daughters.  At  the  same  time  he  sent  more 
than  the  promised  sum  of  money  to  the  Jews  to  redeem  the  chests 
which,  as  they  now  first  learned,  were  filled  with  nothing  but  sand. 

"  '  Say,  albeit  within  the  coffers 
Naught  but  sand  they  can  espy. 


THE    CID. 


295 


That  the  pure  gold  of  my  truth 
Deep  beneath  that  sand  doth  he.'" 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

As  the  Cid  was  now  master  of  Valencia  and  of  untold  wealth, 
his  daughters  were  soon  sought  in  marriage  by  many  suitors. 
Among  them  were  the  Counts  of  Carrion,  whose  The  Counts  of 
proposals  were  warmly  encouraged  by  Alfonso.  Carrion. 
To  please  his  royal  master,  the  Cid  consented  to  an  alliance  with 
them,  and  the  marriage  of  both  his  daughters  was  celebrated  with 
much  pomp.  In  the  "  Chronicle  of  the  Cid,"  compiled  from  all 
the  ancient  ballads,  these  festivities  are  recorded  thus :  "  Who  can 
tell  the  great  nobleness  which  the  Cid  displayed  at  that  wedding  ! 
the  feasts  and  the  bullfights,  and  the  throwing  at  the  target,  and  the 
throwing  canes,  and  how  many  joculars  were  there,  and  all  the 
sports  which  are  proper  at  such  weddings!" 

Pleased  with  their  sumptuous  entertainment,  the  Infantes  of 
Carrion  lingered  at  Valencia  two  years,  during  which  time  the  Cid 
had  ample  opportunity  to  convince  himself  that  they  were  not  the 
brave  and  upright  husbands  he  would  fain  have  secured  for  his 
daughters.  In  fact,  all  soon  became  aware  of  the  young  men's 
cowardice,  for  when  a  lion  broke  loose  from  the  Cid's  private 
menagerie  and  entered  the  hall  where  he  was  sleeping,  while  his 
guests  were  playing  chess,  the  princes  fled,  one  faUing  into  an 
empty  vat  in  his  haste,  and  the  other  taking  refuge  behind  the 
Cid's  couch.  Awakened  by  the  noise,  the  Cid  seized  his  sword, 
twisted  his  cloak  around  his  arm,  and,  grasping  the  lion  by  its 
mane,  thrust  it  back  into  its  cage,  and  calmly  returned  to  his  place. 

"  Till  the  good  Cid  awoke ;  he  rose  without  alarm  ; 
He  went  to  meet  the  lion,  with  his  mantle  on  his  arm. 
The  lion  was  abash'd  the  noble  Cid  to  meet, 
He  bow'd  his  mane  to  earth,  his  muzzle  at  his  feet. 
The  Cid  by  the  neck  and  mane  drew  him  to  his  den, 
He  thrust  him  in  at  the  hatch,  and  came  to  the  hall  again ; 
He  found  his  knights,  his  vassals,  and  all  his  valiant  men. 
He  ask'd  for  his  sons-in-law,  they  were  neither  of  them  there." 

Chronicles  of  the  OV/ (Southey's  tr.). 


296  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

This  cowardly  conduct  of  the  Infantes  of  Carrion  could  not  fail 
to  call  forth  some  gibes  from  the  Cid's  followers.  The  young 
men,  however,  concealed  their  anger,  biding  their  time  to  take 
their  revenge.  During  the  siege  of  Valencia,  which  took  place 
shortly  after  this  adventure,  the  Infantes  did  not  manage  to  show 
much  courage  either;  and  it  was  only  through  the  kindness  of 
Felez  Muiioz,  a  nephew  of  the  Cid,  that  one  of  them  could  ex- 
hibit a  war  horse  which  he  falsely  claimed  to  have  taken  from  the 
enemy. 

Thanks  to  the  valor  of  the  Cid,  the  Moors  were  driven  away 
from  Valencia  with  great  loss,  and  peace  was  restored.  The  In- 
fantes of  Carrion  then  asked  permission  to  return  home  with  their 
brides,  and  the  spoil  and  presents  the  Cid  had  given  them,  among 
which  were  the  swords  Colada  and  Tizona.  The  Cid  escorted 
them  part  way  on  their  journey,  bade  farewell  to  his  daughters  with 
much  sorrow,  and  returned  alone  to  Valencia,  which  appeared 
deserted  without  the  presence  of  the  children  he  loved. 

"  The  Cid  he  parted  from  his  daughters. 
Naught  could  he  his  grief  disguise ; 
As  he  clasped  them  to  his  bosom, 
Tears  did  stream  from  out  his  eyes." 

Ancietit  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

After  jomneying  on  for  some  time  with  their  brides  and  Felez 

Muhoz,  who  was  acting  as  escort,  the  Infantes  of  Carrion  camped 

Cruelty  of      "^^^  ^^^  Douro.     Early  the  next  day  they  sent  all 

Infantes  of      their  suite  ahead,  and,  being  left  alone  with  their 

Carrion.  .  .  . 

Wives,  Stripped  them  of  their  garments,  lashed  them 
with  thorns,  kicked  them  with  their  spurs,  and  finally  left  them  for 
dead  on  the  blood-stained  ground,  and  rode  on  to  join  their  escort. 
Suspecting  foul  play,  and  fearing  the  worst,  Felez  Muhoz 
cleverly  managed  to  separate  himself  from  the  party,  and,  rid- 
ing swiftly  back  to  the  banks  of  the  Douro,  found  his  unhappy 
cousins  in  a  sorry  plight.  He  tenderly  cared  for  their  wounds, 
placed  them  upon  his  horse,  and  took  them  to  the  house  of  a  poor 


THE   CID.  297 

man,  whose  wife  and  daughters  undertook  to  nurse  them,  while 
Felez  Muhoz  hastened  back  to  Valencia  to  tell  the  Cid  what  had 
occurred.  The  Cid  Campeador  then  swore  that  he  would  be 
avenged ;  and  as  Alfonso  was  responsible  for  the  marriage,  he 
applied  to  him  for  redress. 

"  '  Lo  !  my  daughters  have  been  outrag'd  ! 
For  thine  own,  thy  kingdom's  sake, 
Look,  Alfonso,  to  mine  honor  ! 
Vengeance  thou  or  I  must  take.'  " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

The  king,  who  had  by  this  time  learned  to  value  the  Cid's  serv- 
ices, was  very  angry  when  he  heard  how  the  Infantes  of  Car- 
rion had  insulted  their  wives,  and  immediately  summoned  them 
to  appear  before  the  Cortes,  the  Spanish  assembly,  at  Toledo,  and 
justify  themselves,  if  it  were  possible.  The  Cid  was  also  sum- 
moned to  the  same  assembly,  where  he  began  by  claiming  the 
two  precious  blades  Tizona  and  Colada,  and  the  large  dowry  he 
had  given  with  his  daughters.  Then  he  challenged  the  young 
cowards  to  fight.  When  questioned,  they  tried  to  excuse  them- 
selves by  declaring  that  the  Cid's  daughters,  being  of  inferior  birth, 
were  not  fit  to  mate  with  them. 

The  falseness  of  this  excuse  was  shown,  however,  by  an  em- 
bassy from  Navarre,  asking  the  hands  of  the  Cid's  daughters  for 
the  Infantes  of  that  kingdom,  who  were  far  superior  Embassy  from 
in  rank  to  the  Infantes  of  Carrion.  The  Cid  con-  Navarre, 
sented  to  this  new  alliance,  and  after  a  combat  had  been  ap- 
pointed between  three  champions  of  his  selection  and  the  Infantes 
of  Carrion  and  their  uncle,  he  prepared  to  return  home. 

As  proof  of  his  loyalty,  however,  he  offered  to  give  to  Alfonso 
his  favorite  steed  Babie^a,  an  offer  which  the  king  wisely  refused, 
telling  him  that  the  best  of  warriors  alone  deserved  that  peerless 
war  horse. 

"  '  'Tis  the  noble  Babieca  that  is  fam'd  for  speed  and  force, 
Among  the  Christians  nor  the  Moors  there  is  not  such  another  one, 


298  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

My  Sovereign,  Lord,  and  Sire,  he  is  fit  for  you  alone;      ^ 

Give  orders  to  your  people,  and  take  him  for  your  own.' 

The  King  repUed,  '  It  cannot  be ;  Cid,  you  shall  keep  your  horse  ; 

He  must  not  leave  his  master,  nor  change  him  for  a  worse ; 

Our  kingdom  has  been  honor'd  by  you  and  by  your  steed  — 

The  man  that  would  take  him  from  you,  evil  may  he  speed. 

A  courser  such  as  he  is  fit  for  such  a  knight, 

To  beat  down  Moors  in  battle,  and  follow  them  in  flight.'" 

Chronicles  of  the  Cid  (Southey's  tr.). 

Shortly  after,  in  the  presence  of  the  king,  the  Cid,  and  the 
assembled  Cortes,  the  appointed  battle  took  place.  The  Infantes 
of  Carrion  and  their  uncle  were  defeated  and  banished,  and  the 
Cid  returned  in  triumph  to  Valencia.  Here  his  daughters'  second 
marriage  took  place,  and  here  he  received  an  embassy  bringing 
him  rich  gifts  from  the  Sultan  of  Persia,  who  had  heard  of  his 
fame. 

Five  years  later  the  Moors  returned,  under  the  leadership  of 
Bucar,  King  of  Morocco,  to  besiege  Valencia.  The  Cid  was 
about  to  prepare  to  do  batde  against  this  overwhelming  force 
when  he  was  favored  by  a  vision  of  St.  Peter.  The  saint  pre- 
dicted his  death  within  thirty  days,  but  assured  him.  that,  even 
though  he  were  dead,  he  would  still  triumph  over  the  enemy 
whom  he  had  fought  against  for  so  many  years. 

"  '  Dear  art  thou  to  God,  Rodrigo, 
And  this  grace  he  granteth  thee : 

When  thy  soul  hath  fled,  thy  body 
Still  shall  cause  the  Moors  to  flee ; 

And,  by  aid  of  Santiago, 
Gain  a  glorious  victory. '  " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

The  pious  and  simple-hearted  warrior  immediately  began  to 
prepare  for  the  other  world.  He  appointed  a  successor,  gave  in- 
structions that  none  should  bewail  his  death  lest  the  news  should 
encourage  the  Moors,  and  directed  that  his  embalmed  body 
should  be  set  upon  Babie9a,  and  that,  with  Tizona  in  his  hand. 


THE    ClU'S     LAST     VICTORY.  —  Ruchegrosse. 


I  Upi,.  p.  -IW.  ] 


THE   CTD.  299 

he  should  be  led  against  the  enemy  on  a  certain  day,  when  he 
promised  a  signal  victory. 

"  '  Saddle  next  my  Babieca, 

Arm  him  well  as  for  the  fight ; 
On  his  back  then  tie  my  body, 
In  my  well-known  armor  dight. 

"  '  In  my  right  hand  place  Tizona  ; 
Lead  me  forth  unto  the  war ; 
Bear  my  standard  fast  behind  me, 
As  it  was  my  wont  of  yore.'  " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

When  these  instructions  had  all  been  given,  the  hero  died  at 
the  appointed  time,  and  his  successor  and  the  brave  Ximena  strove 
to  carry  out  his  every  wish.    A  sortie  was  planned,     ^he  cid's  last 
and  the  Cid,  fastened  upon  his  war  horse,  rode  in  battle, 

the  van.  Such  was  the  terror  which  his  mere  presence  inspired 
that  the  Moors  fled  before  him.  Most  of  them  were  slain,  and 
Bucar  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  thinking  that  seventy  thousand  Chris- 
tians were  about  to  fall  upon  him,  led  by  the  patron  saint  of  Spain. 

"  Seventy  thousand  Christian  warriors, 
All  in  snowy  garments  dight. 
Led  by  one  of  giant  stature. 
Mounted  on  a  charger  white  ; 

"  On  his  breast  a  cross  of  crimson, 
In  his  hand  a  sword  of  fire, 
With  it  hew'd  he  down  the  Paynims, 
As  they  fled,  with  slaughter  dire." 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

The  Christians,  having  routed  the  enemy,  yet  knowing,  as  the 
Cid  had  told  them,  that  they  would  never  be  able  to  hold  Valencia 
when  he  was  gone,  now  marched  on  into  Castile,  the  dead  hero 
still  riding  Babieca  in  their  midst.  Then  Ximena  sent  word  to 
her  daughters  of  their  father's  demise,  and  they  came  to  meet 


300  LEGENDS   OF    THE    MIDDLE  AGES. 

him,  but  could  scarcely  believe  that  he  was  dead  when  they  saw 
him  so  unchanged. 

By  Alfonso's  order  the  Cid's  body  was  placed  in  the  Church  of 
San  Pedro  de  Cardeiia,  where  for  ten  years  it  remained  seated  in 
a  chair  of  state,  and  in  plain  view  of  all.  Such  was  the  respect 
which  the  dead  hero  inspired  that  none  dared  lay  a  finger  upon 
him,  except  a  sacrilegious  Jew,  who,  remembering  the  Cid's  proud 
boast  that  no  man  had  ever  dared  lay  a  hand  upon  his  beard, 
once  attempted  to  do  so.  Before  he  could  touch  it,  however,  the 
hero's  lifeless  hand  clasped  the  sword  hilt  and  drew  Tizona  a  few 
inches  out  of  its  scabbard. 

"  Ere  the  beard  his  fingers  touched, 
Lo  !  the  silent  man  of  death 
Grasp'd  the  hilt,  and  drew  Tizona 
Full  a  span  from  out  the  sheath  !  " 

Ancient  Spanish  Ballads  (Lockhart's  tr.). 

Of  course,  in  the  face  of  such  a  miracle,  the  Jew  desisted,  and 
the  Cid  Campeador  was  reverently  laid  in  the  grave  only  when 
his  body  began  to  show  signs  of  decay.  His  steed  Babie9a  con- 
tinued to  be  held  in  great  honor,  but  no  one  was  ever  again  allowed 
to  bestride  him. 

As  for  the  Moors,  they  rallied  around  Valencia.  After  hover- 
ing near  for  several  days,  wondering  at  the  strange  silence,  they 
Evacuation  of    entered  the  open  gates  of  the  city,  which  they  had 

Valencia.  j^ot  dared  to  cross  for  fear  of  an  ambuscade,  and 
penetrated  into  the  court  of  the  palace.  Here  they  found  a 
notice,  left  by  the  order  of  the  Cid,  announcing  his  death  and 
the  complete  evacuation  of  the  city  by  the  Christian  army.  The 
Cid's  sword  Tizona  became  an  heirloom  in  the  family  of  the 
Marquis  of  Falies,  and  is  said  to  bear  the  following  inscriptions, 
one  on  either  side  of  the  blade  :  "  I  am  Tizona,  made  in  era  1040," 
and  "  Hail  Maria,  full  of  grace." 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

GENERAL    SURVEY    OF    ROMANCE    LITERATURE. 

In  the  preceding  chapters  we  have  given  an  outHne  of  the 
principal  epics  which  formed  the  staple  of  romance  literature  in 
the  middle  ages.  As  has  been  seen,  this  style  of  cycles  of 
composition  was  used  to  extol  the  merits  and  de-  romance, 
scribe  the  great  deeds  of  certain  famous  heroes,  and  by  l^eing 
gradually  extended  it  was  made  to  include  the  prowess  of  the 
friends  and  contemporaries  of  these  more  or  less  fabulous  per- 
sonages. All  these  writings,  clustering  thus  about  some  great 
character,  eventually  formed  the  so-called  "cycles  of  romance." 

There  were  current  in  those  days  not  only  classical  romances, 
but  stories  of  love,  adventure,  and  chivalry,  all  bearing  a  marked 
resemblance  to  one  another,  and  prevailing  in  all  the  European 
states  during  the  four  centuries  when  knighthood  flourished  every- 
where. Some  of  these  tales,  such  as  those  of  the  Holy  Grail, 
were  intended,  besides,  to  glorify  the  most  celebrated  orders  of 
knighthood,— the  Templars  and  Knights  of  St.  John. 

Other  styles  of  imaginative  writing  were  known  at  the  same 
time  also,  yet  the  main  feature  of  the  literature  of  the  age  is  first 
the  metrical,  and  later  the  prose,  romance,  the  direct  outcome  of 
the  great  national  epics. 

We  have  outlined  very  briefly,  as  a  work  of  this  character  re- 
quires, the  principal  features  of  the  Arthurian,  Carolingian,  and 
Teutonic  cvcles.  ^Ve  have  also  touched  somewhat  upon  the 
Anglo-Danish  and  Scandina\ian  contributions  to  our  literature. 


3C2  LEGENDS   OF   THE   MIDDLE   AGES. 

Of  the  extensive  Spanish  cycle  we  have  given  only  a  short 
sketch  of  the  romance,  or  rather  the  chronicle,  of  the  Cid,  leav- 
ing out  entirely  the  vast  and  deservedly  popular  cycles  of  Amadis 
of  Gaul  and  of  the  Palmerins.  This  omission  has  been  intentional, 
however,  because  these  romances  have  left  but  few  traces  in  our 
literature.  As  they  are  seldom  even  alluded  to,  they  are  not  of 
so  great  importance  to  the  Enghsh  student  of  letters  as  the  Franco- 
German,  Celto- Briton,  and  Scandinavian  tales. 

The  stories  of  Amadis  of  Gaul  and  of  the  Palmerins  are,  more- 
over, very  evident  imitations  of  the  principal  romances  of  chiv- 
alry which  we  have  already  considered.  They  are  formed  of 
an  intricate  series  of  adventures  and  enchantments,  are,  if  any- 
thing, more  extravagant  than  the  other  mediaeval  romances,  and 
are  further  distinguished  by  a  tinge  of  Oriental  mysticism  and 
imagery,  the  result  of  the  Crusades. 

The  Italian  cycle,  which  we  have  not  treated .  separately  be- 
cause it  relates  principally  to  Charlemagne  and  Roland,  is  par- 
ticulariy  noted  for  its  fehcity  of  expression  and  richness  of  de- 
scription. Like  the  Spanish  writers,  the  Italians  love  to  revel 
in  magic,  as  is  best  seen  in  the  greatest  gems  of  that  age,  the 
poems  of  "  Oriando  Innamorato  "  and  "  Orlando  Furioso,"  by 
Boiardo  and  Ariosto. 

Mediaeval  literature  includes  also  a  very  large  and  so-called 
"  unaffiliated  cycle  "  of  romances.  This  is  composed  of  many 
stories,  the  precursors  of  the  novel  and  "  short  story  "  of  the  pres- 
ent age.  We  are  indebted  to  this  cycle  for  several  well-known 
works  of  fiction,  such  as  the  tale  of  patient  Griseldis,  the  gentle 
and  meek-spirited  heroine  who  has  become  the  personification  of 
long-suffering  and  charity.  After  the  mediaeval  writers  had  made 
much  use  of  this  tale,  it  was  taken  up  in  turn  by  Boccaccio  and 
Chaucer,  who  have  made  it  immortal. 

The  Norman  tale  of  King  Robert  of  Sicily,  so  beautifully  ren- 
dered in  verse  by  Longfellow  in  his  "  Tales  of  a  Wayside  Inn," 
also  belongs  to  this  cycle,  and  some  authorities  claim  that  it  in- 
cludes the  famous  atu'mal  epic   "  Reynard  the  Fox,"  of  which 


GENERAL    SURVEY   OF  ROMANCE   I./yEA'A  7(R/:.     303 

we  have  given  an  outline.  The  story  of  Reynard  the  Fox  is  one 
of  the  most  important  mediaeval  contributions  to  the  literature  of 
the  world,  and  is  the  source  from  which  many  subsequent  writers 
have  drawn  the  themes  for  their  fables. 

A  very  large  class  of  romances,  common  to  all  European  nations 
during  the  middle  ages,  has  also  been  purposely  omitted  from  the 
foregoing  pages.     This  is  the  so-called  "classical 

1     ))  ii  11  1        ^-i         1  1     Classical  cycle. 

cycle,     or  the  romances  based  on  the  Greek  and 
Latin  epics,  which  were  very  popular  during  the  age  of  chivalry. 
They  occupy  so  prominent  a  place  in  mediaeval  literature,  how- 
ever, that  we  must  bespeak  a  few  moments'  attention  to  their 
subjects. 

In  these  classical  romances  the  heroes  of  antiquity  have  lost 
many  of  their  native  characteristics,  and  are  generally  represented 
as  knight-errants,  and  made  to  talk  and  act  as  such  knights  would. 
Christianity  and  mythology  are  jumbled  up  together  in  a  most 
peculiar  way,  and  history,  chronology,  and  geography  are  set  at 
defiance  and  treated  with  the  same  scorn  of  probabilities. 

The  classical  romances  forming  this  great  general  cycle  are 
subdivided  into  several  classes  or  cycles.  The  interest  of  the 
first  is  mainly  centered  upon  the  heroes  of  Homer  and  Hesiod. 
The  best-known  and  most  popular  o^  these  mediaeval  works  was 
the  "  Roman  de  Troie,"  relating  the  siege  and  downfall  of  Troy. 

Based  upon  post-classical  Greek  and  Latin  writings  rather  than 
upon  the  great  Homeric  epic  itself,  the  story,  which  had  already 
undergone  many  changes  to  suit  the  ever-varying  public  taste, 
was  further  transformed  by  the  Anglo-Norman  trouvere,  Benoit 
de  Sainte-More,  about  11 84.  He  composed  a  poem  of  thirty 
thousand  lines,  in  which  he  related  not  only  the  siege  and  down- 
fall of  Troy,  but  also  the  Argonautic  expedition,  the  wanderings 
of  Ulysses,  the  story  of  yEneas,  and  many  other  mythological 
tales. 

This  poet,  following  the  custom  of  the  age,  naively  reproduced 
the  manners,  customs,  and,  in  general,  the  behefs  of  the  twelfth 
century.     There  is  plenty  of  local  color  in  his  work,  only  the 


304  LEGENDS  OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

color  belongs  to  his  own  locality,  and  not  to  that  of  the  heroes 
whose  adventures  he  purports  to  relate.  In  his  work  the  old 
classical  heroes  are  transformed  into  typical  mediaeval  knights, 
and  heroines  such  as  Helen  and  Medea,  for  instance,  are  por- 
trayed as  damsels  in  distress. 

This  prevalent  custom  of  viewing  the  ancients  solely  from  the 
mediaeval  point  of  view  gave  rise  not  only  to  grotesque  pen 
pictures,  but  also  to  a  number  of  paintings,  such  as  Gozzoh's 
kidnaping  of  Helen.  In  this  composition,  Paris,  in  trunk  hose, 
is  carrying  off  the  fair  Helen  pickaback,  notwithstanding  the  evi- 
dent clamor  raised  by  the  assembled  court  ladias,  who  are  attired 
in  very  full  skirts  and  mediaeval  headdresses. 

On  account  of  these  peculiarities,  and  because  the  customs, 
dress,  festivities,  weapons,  manners,  landscapes,  etc.,  of  the  middle 
ages  are  so  minutely  described,  these  romances  have,  with  much 
justice,  been  considered  as  really  original  works. 

The  "  Roman  de  Troie  "  was  quite  as  popular  in  mediaeval 
Europe  as  the  "  Iliad  "  had  been  in  Hellenic  countries  during  the 
The  Roman  de  P^li^Y  days  of  Greece,  and  was  translated  into  every 
Troie.  dialcct.     There  are  still  extant  many  versions  of 

the  romance  in  every  European  tongue,  for  it  penetrated  even 
into  the  frozen  regions  of  Scandinavia  and  Iceland.  It  was  there- 
fore recited  in  every  castle  and  town  by  the  wandering  minstrels, 
trouveres,  troubadours,  minnesingers,  and  scalds,  who  thus  indi- 
vidually and  collectively  continued  the  work  begun  so  many  years 
before  by  the  Greek  rhapsodi.sts.  Thus  for  more  than  two  thou- 
sand years  the  story  which  still  delights  us  has  been  familiar 
among  high  and  low,  and  has  served  to  beguile  the  hours  for  old 
and  young. 

This  cycle  further  includes  a  revised  and  much-transformed 
edition  of  the  adventures  of  yEneas  and  of  the  early  history  of 
Rome.  But  although  all  these  tales  were  first  embodied  in  met- 
rical romances,  these  soon  gave  way  to  prose  versions  of  equally 
interminable  length,  which  each  relator  varied  and  embellished 
according  to  his  taste  and  skill. 


GENERAL   SURVEY  OF  ROMANCE   LITERATURE.     305 

The  extreme  popularitj^  of  Benoit  de  Sainte-More's  work  in- 
duced many  imitations,  and  the  numerous  chansons  de  gestes,  con- 
structed on  the  same  general  plan,  soon  became  current  every- 
where. Sundry  episodes  of  these  tales,  having  been  particularly 
liked,  were  worked  over,  added  to,  and  elaborated,  until  they 
assumed  the  proportions  of  romances  in  themselves.  Such  was, 
for  example,  the  case  with  the  story  of  Troilus  and  Cressida, 
which  was  treated  by  countless  mediaeval  poets,  and  finally  given 
the  form  in  which  we  know  it  best,  first  by  Chaucer  in  his 
"  Canterbury  Tales,"  and  lastly  by  Shakespeare  in  his  well-known 
play. 

Another  great  romance  of  the  classical  cycle  is  the  one  known 
as  "Alexandre  le  Grant."     First  written  in  verse  by  Lambert  le 
Cort,  in  a  meter  which  is  now  exclusively  known      Alexandre  le 
as  Alexandrine,  because  it  was  first  used  to  set  forth  Grant, 

the  charms  and  describe  the  deeds  of  this  hero,  it  was  recast  by 
many  poets,  and  finally  turned  into  a  prose  romance  also. 

The  first  poetical  version  was  probably  composed  in  the  elev- 
enth century,  and  is  said  to  have  been  twenty-two  thousand  six 
hundred  lines  long.  Drawn  from  many  sources, — for  the  Greek 
and  Latin  Avriters  had  been  all  more  or  less  occupied  with  de- 
scribing the  career  of  the  youthful  conqueror  and  the  marvels 
he  discovered  in  the  far  East, — the  mediaeval  writers  still  further 
added  to  this  heterogeneous  material. 

The  romance  of  "  Alexandre  le  Grant,"  therefore,  purports  to 
relate  the  life  and  adventures  of  the  King  of  Macedon ;  but  as 
Lambert  le  Cort  and  his  numerous  predecessors  and  successors 
were  rather  inclined  to  draw  on  imagination,  the  result  is  a  very 
extravagant  tale. 

In  the  romance,  as  we  know  it,  Alexander  is  described  as  a 
mediaeval  rather  than  an  ancient  hero.  After  giving  the  early 
history  of  Macedon,  the  poet  tells  of  the  birth  of  Alexander, — 
which  is  ascribed  to  divine  intervention, — and  dwells  eloquently 
upon  the  hero's  youthful  prowess.  Philip's  death  and  the  con- 
sequent reign  of  Alexander  next  claim  otir  attention.  The  con- 
20 


3o6  LEGENDS   OF    THE   MIDDLE  AGES. 

quest  of  the  world  is,  in  this  romance,  introduced  by  the  siege  and 
submission  of  Rome,  after  which  the  young  monarch  starts  upon 
his  expedition  into  Asia  Minor,  and  the  conquest  of  Persia.  The 
war  with  Porus  and  the  fighting  in  India  are  dwelt  upon  at  great 
length,  as  are  the  riches  and  magnificence  of  the  East.  Alex- 
ander visits  Amazons  and  cannibals,  views  all  the  possible  and 
impossible  wonders,  and  in  his  fabulous  history  we  find  the  first 
mention,  in  European  literature,  of  the  marvelous  "  Fountain  of 
Youth,"  the  object  of  Ponce  de  Leon's  search  in  Florida  many 
years  later. 

When,  in  the  course  of  this  lengthy  romance,  Alexander  has 
triumphantly  reached  the  ends  of  the  earth,  he  sighs  for  new 
worlds  to  conquer,  and  even  aspires  to  the  dominion  of  the  realm 
of  the  air.  To  wish  is  to  obtain.  A  magic  glass  cage,  rapidly 
borne  aloft  by  eight  grifhns,  conveys  the  conqueror  through  the 
aerial  kingdom,  where  all  the  birds  in  turn  do  homage  to  him, 
and  where  he  is  enabled  to  understand  their  language,  thanks  to 
the  kind  intervention  of  a  magician. 

But  Alexander's  ambition  is  still  insatiable ;  and,  earth  and  air 
having  both  submitted  to  his  sway,  and  all  the  living  creatures 
therein  having  recognized  him  as  master  and  promised  their  alle- 
giance, he  next  proposes  to  annex  the  empire  of  the  sea.  Magic 
is  again  employed  to  gratify  this  wish,  and  Alexander  sinks  to  the 
bottom  of  the  sea  in  a  peculiarly  fashioned  diving  bell.  Here 
all  the  finny  tribe  press  around  to  do  him  homage ;  and  after  re- 
ceiving their  oaths  of  fealty,  and  viewing  all  the  marvels  of  the 
deep,  as  conceived  by  the  mediaeval  writer's  fancy,  Alexander 
returns  to  Babylon. 

Earth,  air,  and  sea  having  all  been  subdued,  the  writer,  unable 
to  follow  the  course  of  Alexander's  conquests  any  further,  now 
minutely  describes  a  grand  coronation  scene  at  Babylon,  where, 
with  the  usual  disregard  for  chronology  which  characterizes  all 
the  productions  of  this  age,  he  makes  the  hero  participate  in  a 
solemn  mass! 

The  story  ends  with  a  highly  sensational  description  of  the 


GENERAL    SURVEY   OI-    ROMAXCE    LITERATURE.     307 

ileath  of  Alexander  by  poisoning,  and  an  elaborate  enumeration 
of  the  pomps  of  his  obsequies. 

A  third  order  of  romances,  also  belonging  to  this  cycle,  includes 
a  lengthy  poem  known  as  "  Rome  la  Grant."  Here  Virgil  appears 
as  a  common  enchanter.    With  the  exception  of  a 

,  1,1  ,,  -  .       .        .     ,  Rome  la  Grant. 

few  well-known  names,  all  trace  of  antiquity  is  lost. 
The  heroes  are  now  e.xposed  to  hairbreadth  escapes ;  wonderful 
adventures  succeed  one  another  without  any  pause;  and  there  is 
a  constant  series  of  enchantments,  such  as  the  Italian  poets  loved 
to  revel  in,  as  is  shown  in  the  works  by  Boiardo  and  Ariosto 
already  mentioned. 

These  tales,  and  those  on  the  same  theme  which  had  preceded 
them,  gave  rise  to  a  generally  accepted  theory  of  European  col- 
onization subsequent  to  the  Trojan  war ;  and  every  man  of  note 
and  royal  family  claimed  to  descend  from  the  line  of  Priam. 

As  the  Romans  insisted  that  their  city  owed  its  existence  to 
the  descendants  of  ^neas,  so  the  French  kings  Dagobert  and 
Charles  the  Bald  claimed  to  belong  to  the  illustri- 

.  ,  .IV-  J    Story  of  Brutus. 

ous  Irojan  race.  Ihe  same  tradition  appeared 
in  England  about  the  third  century,  and  from  Gildas  and  Nen- 
nius  was  adopted  by  Geoffrey  of  Alonmouth.  It  is  from  this 
historian  that  Wace  drew  the  materials  for  the  metrical  tale  of 
Brutus  (Brute),  the  supposed  founder  of  the  British  race  and  king- 
dom. This  poem  is  twenty  thousand  lines  long,  and  relates  the 
adventures  and  life  of  Brutus,  the  great-grandson  of  yEneas. 

At  the  time  of  Brutus'  birth  his  parents  were  frightened  by  an 
oracle  predicting  that  he  would  be  the  cause  of  the  death  of  both 
parents,  and  only  after  long  wanderings  would  attain  the  highest 
pitch  of  glory.  This  prophecy  was  duly  fulfilled.  Brutus'  mother, 
a  niece  of  Lavinia,  died  at  his  birth.  Fifteen  years  later,  while 
hunting,  he  accidentally  slew  his  father  ;  and,  expelled  from  Italy 
on  account  of  this  involuntary  crime,  he  began  his  wanderings. 

In  the  course  of  time  Brutus  went  to  Greece,  where  he  found 
the  descendants  of  Helenus,  one  of  Priam's  sons,  languishing  in 
captivity.     Brutus  headed  the  revolted  Trojans,  and  after  helping 


3o8  LEGENDS   OF   THE  MIDDLE  AGES. 

them  to  defeat  Pandrasus,  King  of  Greece,  obtained  their  freedom, 
and  invited  them  to  accompany  him  to  some  distant  land,  where 
they  could  found  a  new  kingdom. 

Led  by  Brutus,  who  in  the  mean  while  had  married  the  daugh- 
ter of  Pandrasus,  the  Trojans  sailed  away,  and,  landing  on  the 
deserted  island  of  Leogecia,  visited  the  temple  of  Diana,  and 
questioned  her  statue,  which  gave  the  following  oracle : 

"  '  Brutus  !  there  lies  beyond  the  Gallic  bounds 
An  island  which  the  western  sea  surrounds, 
By  giants  once  possessed ;  now  few  remain 
To  bar  thy  entrance,  or  obstruct  thy  reign. 
To  reach  that  happy  shore  thy  sails  employ ; 
There  fate  decrees  to  raise  a  second  Troy, 
And  found  an  empire  in  thy  royal  line, 
Which  time  shall  ne'er  destroy,  nor  bounds  confine."* 

Geoffrey  of  Monmouth  (Giles's  tr.). 

Thus  directed  by  miracle,  Brutus  sailed  on,  meeting  with  many 
adventures,  and  landed  twice  on  the  coast  of  Africa.  The  Pillars 
of  Hercules  once  passed,  the  travelers  beheld  the  sirens,  and, 
landing  once  more,  were  joined  by  Corineus,  who  proposed  to 
accompany  them. 

Brutus  then  coasted  along  the  shores  of  the  kingdom  of  Aqui- 
taine  and  up  the  Loire,  where  his  men  quarreled  with  the  inhab- 
itants. He  found  himself  involved  in  a  fierce  conflict,  in  which, 
owing  to  his  personal  valor  and  to  the  marvelous  strength  of  Cor- 
ineus, he  came  off  victor  in  spite  of  the  odds  against  him. 

In  this  battle  Brutus'  nephew,  Turonus,  fell,  and  was  buried  on 
the  spot  where  the  city  of  Tours  was  subsequently  built  and  named 
after  the  dead  hero.  After  having  subdued  his  foes,  Brutus  em- 
barked again  and  landed  on  an  island  called  Albion.  Here  he 
forced  the  giants  to  make  way  for  him,  and  in  the  encounters 
with  them  Corineus  again  covered  himself  with  glory. 

We  are  told  that  the  first  germ  of  the  nursery  tale  of  Jack  the 
Giant  Killer  is  found  in  this  poem,  for  Corineus,  having  chosen 


GENERAL   SURVEY  OF  ROMANCE    UTERATURE.    309 

Corinea  (Cornwall)  as  his  own  province,  defeated  there  the  giant 
Goemagot,  who  was  twelve  cubits  high  and  pulled  up  an  oak  as 
if  it  were  but  a  weed.  Corineus,  after  a  famous  wrestling  bout, 
flung  this  Goemagot  into  the  sea,  at  a  place  long  known  as  Lam 
Goemagot,  but  now  called  Plymouth. 

Brutus  pursued  his  w^ay,  and  finally  came  to  the  Thames,  on 
whose  banks  he  founded  New  Troy,  a  city  whose  name  was 
changed  in  honor  of  Lud,  one  of  his  descendants,  ^he  founding  of 
to  London.  Brutus  called  the  newly  won  kingdom  London. 
Britain,  and  his  eldest  sons,  Locrine  and  Camber,  gave  their 
names  to  the  provinces  of  Locria  and  Cambria  when  they  be- 
came joint  rulers  of  their  father's  kingdom,  while  Albanact,  his 
third  son,  took  possession  of  the  northern  part,  which  he  called 
Albania  (Scotland). 

Albanact  was  not  allowed  to  reign  in  peace,  however,  but  was 
soon  called  upon  to  war  against  Humber,  King  of  the  Huns. 
The  latter  was  defeated,  and  drowned  in  the  stream  which  still 
bears  his  name.  Locrine's  daughter,  Sabrina,  also  met  with  a 
watery  death,  and  gave  her  name  to  the  Severn. 

The  posterity  of  Brutus  now  underwent  many  other  vicissitudes. 
There  was  fighting  at  home  and  abroad  ;  and  after  attributing  the 
founding  of  all  the  principal  cities  to  some  ruler  of 

.  .  ..  .  KingLeir. 

this  line,  the  historian  relates  the  story  of  Kmg  Leir, 
the  founder  of  Leicester.  As  this  monarch's  life  has  been  used 
by  Shakespeare  for  one  of  his  dramas, — the  tragedy  of  "  King 
Lear,"— and  is  famihar  to  all  students  of  English  literature,  there 
is  no  need  to  outline  Geofifrey  of  Monmouth's  version  of  the  tale. 
The  chronicler  then  resumes  the  account  of  Brutus'  illustrious 
descendants,  enumerating  them  all,  and  relating  their  adventures, 
till  we  come  to  the  reign  of  Cassivellaunus  and  the  invasion  of 
Britain  by  the  Romans.  Shortly  after,  under  the  reign  of  Cym- 
behnus,  he  mentions  the  birth  of  Christ,  and  then  resumes  the 
thread  of  his  fabulous  history,  and  brings  it  down  to  the  reign  of 
Uther  Pendragon,  where  it  has  been  taken  up  in  the  Arthurian 
cycle. 


3IO  LJ'.GF.NDS   OF    77/ E   MIDDLE   AGES. 

This  chronicle,  wliich  ga\-e  rise  to  many  romances,  was  still 
considered  reliable  e\cn  in  Shakespeare's  time,  and  many  poets 
have  drawn  freely  from  it.  The  mediseval  poets  long  used  it  as 
a  mental  quarry,  and  it  has  been  further  utilized  by  some  more 
recent  poets,  among  whom  we  must  count  Drayton,  who  makes 
frec^uent  mention  of  these  ancient  names  in  his  poem  "  Pol\-- 
olbion,"  and  Spenser,  who  immortahzes  many  of  the  old  legends 
in  his  "  Faerie  Queene." 

There  are,  of  course,  many  other  mediaeval  tales  and  romances ; 
but  our  aim  has  been  to  enable  the  reader  to  gain  some  general 
idea  of  the  principal  examples,  leaving  him  to  pursue  the  study 
in  its  many  branches  if  he  wishes  a  more  complete  idea  of  the 
literature  of  the  past  and  of  the  influence  it  has  exerted  and  still 
exerts  upon  the  writers  of  our  own  day. 


INDEX    TO    POETICAL    QUOTATIONS. 


Ariosto,  141,  211. 

Arnold,  Matthew,  212,  243,  269. 

Beowulf,  (translations  by  Conybeare, 

Keary,    Longfellow,    Metcalfe,)  9, 

10,    II,   12,  13,    14,  15,  16,  17,  19, 

20,  21. 
Buchanan,  145,  14b. 
Bulwer  Lytton,  219. 
Burney,  Dr.  (translation),  141. 
Byron,   150. 
Chanson  de   Roland  (translations   by 

Rabillon),  144,  145,  147,  148. 
Conybeare    (translations),   9,    10,    13, 

14,  15,  16,  17,  19,  20,  21. 
Cursor  Mundi,  4. 
Death     Song    of    Regner    Lodbrock 

(translations  by  Herbert),  272,  276, 

279. 
Dippold,   C.    r.,  (translations,   Great  1 

Epics      of      MediiVival      Germany,  i 

Roberts  Bros.,  Boston,)  23,  24,  25, 

26,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31,  ^^,  34,  188, 

190,  195,  237,  239. 
Dragon  of  Wantley,  238. 
Drayton,  208,  210,  217,  2 18. 
Ellis,  207,  208,  209,  210,  227. 
Ettin  Langshanks,  The,  115,  116. 
Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  308. 
Giles  (translation),  308. 
Goethe,  36,  37,  38,  39,  40,  41,  43, 

44.  45'  47'  48.  49>  5°,  52-  \ 

Ciottfried    von    Strassburg,   237,    239, 

241. 
(judrun,    (translaliuns     by     Dippold, 
Great  Epics  of  Mediiisval  Germany, 
Roberts  Bios.,  Boston,)  23,  24,  25, 
26,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31,  ss,  34. 
Hartmann  von  Aue,  223. 

31 


Head,  Sir  Edmund,  (Ticknor's  Span- 
ish Literature,  Messrs.  Harper 
Bros.,  New  York,)  150. 

Heldenbuch  (translations  by  Weber), 
95,  96,  loi,  105,  106,  107,  118, 
119,  121. 

Hemans,  Mrs.,  278. 

Herbert  (translations),  272,  276,  279. 

Hildebrand,  Song  of,  (translation  l)y 
Bayard  Taylor,  Studies  in  German 
Literature,  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons, 
New  York,)   127. 

Ingemann,  136. 

Jamieson  (translations),  115,  116. 

Jones,  J.  C,  17. 

Keary  (translation),  11. 

King  Arthur's  Death,  230. 

Lady  Alda's  Dream  (translation  by 
Head),  149. 

Layamon,  232. 

Legend  of  King  Arthur,  218. 

Lettsom  (translations),  54,  55,  56,  57, 
58,  59,  60,  61,  62,  63,  65,  66,  68, 

69,  70,  71.  72,  74.  75.  76,  77.  78, 
79,  80,  81,  82,  83,  84,  85. 

Lockhart,  (Ancient  Spanish  Ballads, 
G.  1'.  Putnam's  .Sons,  New  York,) 
282,  283,  284,  285,  286,  288,  289, 
290,  291,  292,  293,  294,  295,  296, 
297,  298,  299,  300. 

Longfellow,  (Poets  and  Poetry  of  Eu- 
rope, and  Poetical  Works,  Hough- 
ton, MifHin  tS:  Co.,  Boston,)  12,  13, 
95,  137,  251,  253,  254,  250,  258, 
265. 

Lord  Lovel,  Ballad  of,  245. 

McDowall  (translation),  200. 

Metcalfe  (translations),  16,  21. 


312 


INDEX   TO  POETICAL    QUOTATIONS. 


Morris,  William,  275. 

Nibelungenlied  (translations  by  Lett- 
som),  54,  55,  56,  57,  58,  59,  60, 
61,  62,  63,  65,  66,  68,  69,  70,  71, 
72,  74,  75,  76,  77,  78,  79,  80,  81, 
82,  83,  84,  85. 

Niendorf,  34. 

Rabillon  (translations),  144,  145,  147, 
148. 

Ragnar  Lodbrok  Saga,  (The  Viking 
Age,  by  Paul  du  Chaillu,  Charles 
Scribner's  Sons,  New  York,)  270. 

Ragnar's  Sons'  Saga,  (The  Viking 
Age,  by  Paul  du  Chaillu,  Charles 
Scribner's  Sons,  New  York,)  277. 

Robert  of  Gloucester,  209. 

Rogers  (translations),  36,  t,'],  38,  39, 
40,  41,  43,  44,  45,  47,  48,  49,  50, 
52. 

Roland  and  Ferragus,  141,  142,  143. 

Rose  (translation),  211. 

Scott,  Sir  Walter,  235. 

Sir  Lancelot  du  Lake,  220. 

Sir  Otuel,  148. 

Sotheby  (translations),  164,  165,  166, 


167,  168,  170,  171,  172,    173,    174, 

17s,  176,  177,  178,  179- 
Southey,  132,  133,  295,  298. 
Spalding  (translations),  250,  251,  252, 

253,   254,   255,  256,  257,  258,  259, 

260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 266, 267, 268. 
Spenser,  211. 
Swinburne,  206,  240,  241. 
Taylor,  Bayard,    (Studies  in   German 

Literature,  G.   P.   Putnam's   Sons, 

New  York,)  127,  190,  193,  223,  241. 
Tegner,  250,  251,  252,  253,  254,  255, 

256,   257,  258,  259,  260,  261,  262, 

263,   264,   265,  266,  267,  268. 
Tennyson,   212,   214,   215,   216,   217, 

221,  222,  223,  224,  225,  226,  228, 

229,  231,  232. 
Vail,  281. 
Weber  (translations),  95,  96,  loi,  105, 

106,  107,  118,  119,  121. 
Wieland,  164,  165,  166,  167,  168,  170, 

171,    172,    173,  174,   175,  177,  178, 

179. 
Wolfram  von  Eschenbach,   188,  190, 

193.  I95>  200. 


GLOSSARY    AND    INDEX. 


Aa'chen.     See  Aix-la-Chapelle. 
Ab-ra-ca-dab'ra.  Malagigi's  charm, 

158- 
A'CRE.     Ogier  besieges,  138. 

Adenet  (a-de-na')  Author  of  an  epic 
on  Ogier,  138. 

y^'GiR.  Northern  god  of  the  sea,  250. 

^-NE'AS.  In  mediaeval  literature, 
303 ;  adventures  of,  304 ;  Romans 
claim,  307. 

^s'cHE-RE.  Seized  by  Grendel's 
mother,  15  ;  Beowulf  offers  to 
avenge,  16. 

Af'ri-ca.     Brutus  lands  in,  308. 

Ag'nar.  Son  of  Ragnar  and  Thora, 
272;  a  great  viking,  274;  fights 
Eystein,  276. 

Ag'ra-vaine.  Doubts  Arthur's  ti- 
tle to  throne,  216. 

Ai-go-lan'dus.  Revolts  against 
Charlemagne,  141. 

Aix-la-Cha-pelle'.  Founding  of, 
133;  Ganelon  executed  at,  148; 
Renaud's  body  to  be  taken  to,  162. 

A'lard.  Son  of  Aymon,  154;  Re- 
naud's affection  for,  155  ;  plays 
chess  with  Chariot,  155;  prisoner 
of  Charlemagne,  157;  freed  by  Ma- 
lagigi,  158. 

Al'ba-nact.  Son  of  Brutus,  309 ; 
wars  against  Plumber,  309. 

Al-ba'ni-a.       Name    for    Scotland, 

309- 
Al'ber-ich.  Dwarf  guardian  of  treas- 
ure, 61;  delivers  hoard,  70;  meets 
Ortnit  under  tree,  96 ;  the  father 
of  Ortnit,  97;  helps  Ortnit,  97; 
warns  Ortnit  against  dragons,  98; 

3 


receives  magic  ring,  98 ;  Wolfdie- 
trich  warned  by,  107;  meets  Die- 
trich, III.  See  Latirin  zxid,  Elbe- 
gast. 

Al'bi-on.     Brutus  lands  in,  308. 

Al'boin.  Sent  in  quest  of  armor,  86 ; 
and  Rosamund,  87 ;  cruelty  of,  87 ; 
death  of,  88. 

Al'dri-an.  I.  Father  of  Hagen,  75. 
II.  Son  of  Hagen,  betrays  Etzel, 
127. 

Al'e-brand.     See  Hadubrand. 

Al-ex-an'der.  Hero  of  metrical 
romance,  305 ;  conquests  of,  306 ; 
death  of,  307. 

Al-ex-an'dre  le  Grant.  Synopsis 
of,  305. 

Al-ex-an'drine  meter.     Origin  of, 

305- 

A-LEx'is.     Angela  restored  to,  170. 

Al'fer-ich.     Sqq  Alberich. 

Al'fild.  First  wife  of  Sigurd  Ring, 
269. 

Al-fon'so,  Don.  King  of  Leon, 
288  ;  made  prisoner,  290  ;  escapes 
to  Toledo,  290 ;  hears  of  Don  San- 
cho's  death,  292  ;  escapes  from  To- 
ledo, 292 ;  king  of  Castile,  292  ; 
banishes  Cid,  293 ;  restores  Cid  to 
favor,  294 ;  makes  edict  in  favor  of 
exiles,  294 ;  takes  Toledo,  294 ;  de- 
feated by  Cid,  294;  encourages  suit 
of  Counts  of  Carrion,  295  ;  responsi- 
ble for  marriage  of  Cid's  daughters, 
297  ;  Cid  seeks  redress  from,  297  ; 
refuses  Babiega,  297 ;  gives  orders 
for  burial  of  Cid,  300. 

Al'fred.     An  ally  of  Ella,  279. 


314 


GLOSSARY  AND   INDEX. 


Alf'sol.  Sigurd  Ring  wooes,  270 ; 
death  of,  270. 

Al-i-may'mon.  Reveals  how  Toledo 
can  be  taken,  290 ;  death  of,  294. 

Almes'bur-y.  Guinevere  at,  232  ; 
Lancelot  visits,  233  ;  Guinevere  dies 
at,  233. 

Al'pris.     See  Alherich. 

Al'te-CLER.      Sword  of  Oliver,  139. 

Am'a-dis  of  Gaul.     Cycle  of,  302. 

Am'a-ling  Land.  Italy  called,  121 ; 
Dietrich  king  of,  121  ;  invaded  by 
imperial  army,  123  ;  Dietrich  returns 
to,  125. 

Am'a-lung.     Son  of  Hornbogi,  121. 

A-man'da.  Rezia  called,  175;  mar- 
riage of,  175;  in  Titania's  valley, 
175;  mother  of  Huonet,  176;  loses 
her  child,  and  is  captured  by  pirates, 
176  ;  shipwreck  of,  1 77  ;  slave  of  the 
Sultan,  178;  visits  fairyland,  179; 
journeys  to  Paris,  179. 

Am'a-zons.     Alexander  visits,  306. 

Am-bro'si-us  Au-re-li-a'nus.  Brit- 
ish chief,  205. 

Am'e-lixgs.     The,  100-109. 

Am'el-rich.     Ferryman's  signal,  76. 

Am-for'tas.  Son  of  Frimoutel,  188; 
king  of  Montsalvatch,  189;  wound 
of,  189,  197;  agony  of,  193,  194; 
brotlier  of,  199  ;  cured,  200  ;  death 
of,  200;  armor  of,  201. 

An-gan'tyr.  Helps  to  recover 
ship  Ellida,  250;  ruler  of  Orkney 
Islands,  250;  Frithiof  sent  to  claim 
tribute  from,  258  ;  P'rithiof's  landing 
seen  by  watchman  of,  260 ;  Frithi- 
of's  visit  to,  261  ;  purse  of,  261. 

Angel.  Visits  Charlemagne,  130; 
visits  Ogier,  137;  visits  Oliver,  139. 

An'ge-la.  Huon  advised  by,  170; 
Huon  delivers,  170. 

An-glo-Sax'ons.  "  Beowulf"  prob- 
alsly  composed  by,  9. 

An-gou-laf'fre.  Castle  of,  169  ; 
Huon's  encounter  with,  169;  ring 

of,  173- 

An-gur-va'uel.  Magic  sword,  247; 
Thorsten  receives,  249 ;  Frithiof  in- 
herits, 253. 

An'ton.     See  Hector. 

ANT'WEKi'.  Marriage  of  Else  and 
Lohengrin  at,  203. 


Emperor  of  Constantino- 


Marsile  worships,  144. 
Part  of    Rother's  king- 


An'zi-us. 
pie,  100. 

A-pol'lo. 

A-pu'li-a. 
dom,  89. 

A-qui-TAINe'.  Walther  son  of  duke 
of,  124;   Brutus  coasts  along,  308. 

Ar'abs.  Huon  defeats  a  band  of, 
166 ;   Spain  under  the,  282. 

Ar'a-gon.  Calahorra  cause  of  quar- 
rel in,  286;  Don  Ramiro  of,  286, 
289. 

Ardennes  (iir-den').  Quest  for  rob- 
ber knight  of  the,  134;  Aymon's 
sons  take  refuge  in,  160. 

Ar-go-nau'tic  Expedition.  In  me- 
diaeval literature,  303. 

A'ri-as  Gon-za'lo,  Don.  Receives 
challenge,  291. 

A-rib'a-dale.  Bearer  of  Holy  Grail, 
201. 

A-ri-os'to.  Version  of  Roland  by, 
130;  Merlin's  fountain  mentioned 
by,  211  ;  works  of,  302,  307. 

Ar'nold,  Matthew.  Treats  of  Ar- 
thurian legend,  204  ;  version  of 
Tristan  and  Iseult,  234. 

Ar'thur.  Dietrich  wooes  daughter 
of,  123;  Ogier  joins,  138;  in 
Avalon,  139,  232 ;  Parzival  sets 
out  for  court  of,  189;  at  Nantes, 
191  ;  Parzival's  request  to,  192; 
Parzival  sends  conquered  knights 
to,  196  ;  knights  Parzival,  196  ; 
Gawain  a  knight  of,  196;  hears  of 
Gawain's  prowess,  198  ;  Parzival 
visits,  200 ;  vain  quest  for  Holy 
Grail,  201 ;  legend  of  King,  204, 
214-233;  Merlin  serves,  205,  210; 
birth  of,  2 ID;  Merlin  makes  palace 
and  armor  for,  211  ;  adventures  of, 
214;  brought  up  by  Sir  Hector, 
214;  comes  to  London,  215  ;  adven- 
ture with  sword,  215;  overcomes 
Gawain,  216;  secures  sword  Ex- 
calibur,  217  ;  victories  of,  217 ;  mar- 
riage of  with  Guinevere,  217;  re- 
ceives Round  Talkie,  217;  welcomes 
Lancelot,  220 ;  repudiates  and  rein- 
states Guinevere,  220 ;  questions 
knights,  225  ;  cannot  defend  Guine- 
vere in  judicial  duel,  226;  yearly 
tournaments  of,   226;    and  Elaine, 


(//.(K.V./A')'   AM)    J\/)/-:X. 


3'5 


229 ;  quarrels  with  Lancelot,  229 ; 
leaves  Guinevere  with  Mortlred, 
230;  wars  against  Mordred,  230; 
mortal  wound  of,  231  ;  disposes  of 
Excalibur,  231  ;  departs  in  barge, 
232;  Philip  II. 's  oath  in  favor  of, 
232 ;  buried  at  Glastonbury,  232 ; 
Lancelot  buried  at  feet  of,  233 ; 
Tristan  a  contemporary  of,  234 ; 
Tristan  goes  to  court  of,  243  ;  Tris- 
tan delivers,  244  ;  reconciles  Mark 
and  Iseult,  244. 

As'CA-LON.     Huon  at,  174. 

A'si-A.  Monarch  of,  179;  Alexan- 
der sets  out  for,  306.  j 

Ask'her.     See  Aischere.  I 

As'laug.  Same  as  Krake ;  story  of 
birth  and  childhood  of,  274;  pre- 
diction of,  275  ;  sons  of,  275  ;  begs 
that  her  sons  may  avenge  Agnar 
and  Erik,  276. 

As'PRi-AN.  King  of  northern  giants, 
90;  and  the  lion,  90  ;  carries  ofT 
Imelot,  92. 

As'to-lat.  Lancelot  at,  227  ;  Lance- 
lot comes  to,  227;  Elaine  the  lily- 
maid  of,  228  ;  Gawain  comes  to,  228.  \ 

At'le.     Challenges  Frithiof,  260.        | 

At'li.     Same  as  Etzel,  53. 

At'ti-la.  Same  as  Etzel,  94,  118; 
Theodoric  born  after  death  of,  128. 

Auch-in-leck'  Manuscript.  Sir 
Otuel  in  the,  143. 

Aude  (6d).    Beloved  by  Roland,  149. 

Au'doin.     King  of  Langobards,  86. 

Au-re'li-us  Am-bro'si-us.  Son  of 
Constans,  205. 

Av'a-lon.  Ogier  to  dwell  in,  135, 
136;  Morgana  takes  Ogier  to,  138; 
Arthur  in,  232. 

A'vars.  Aymon  wars  against  the, 
152. 

A-VEN'ti-cum.     See  Wiflisburg. 

A'ya.  Aymon  marries,  154;  Aymon 
sends  for,  154;  goes  to  find  her 
husband,  155;  intercedes  for  her 
sons,  160;  and  Renaud,  161. 

Ay'mon.  Chansons  de  gestes  relat- 
ing to,  152  ;  a  peer  of  Charlemagne, 
152;  wages  w^ar  against  Charle- 
magne, 152  ;  heljied  by  Bayard  and 
Malagigi,  153;  besieged  by  Charle- 
magne,   153;    flight    and    victories 


of,  154;  Charlemagne  makes  peace 
with,  154;  marriage  nf,  154;  adven- 
tures of,  154;  distriljules  iiis  pri)|)cr- 
ty,  155  ;  recovery  of,  155  ;  flees  from 
court,  156 ;  a  captive,  156  ;  Turpin's 
promise  to,  156;  oath  of,  156;  tries 
to  seize  his  sons,  157;  Malagigi 
frees  sons  of,  1 58 ;  adventures  of 
sons  of,  158-161. 

Bais'i-can.  King  of  Ilyrcania,  171; 
Rezia  dreams  of,  171. 

BA-iiiK'gA.  Steed  of  the  Cid,  286; 
Cid's  ride  to  Zamora  on,  291  ;  offered 
to  Alfonso,  297;  Cid's  last  ride  on, 
298,  299 ;  end  of,  300. 

Bab'y-lox.  Ogier  besieges,  138 ; 
same  as  Bagdail  in  mediaeval  litera- 
ture, 164;  Alexander  crowned  at, 
306. 

Bag-dad'.  Huon  to  go  to,  163,  164 ; 
same  as  Babylon,  164;  Sherasmin 
indicates  road  to,  165;  Huon  re- 
sumes journey  to,  169;  Huon's  ad- 
ventures in,  171- 

Bai/der.  Shrine  of,  254,  256,  257; 
temple  of,  267. 

Ba'li-an.  Seaport  in  Hagen's  king- 
dom, 26. 

Bai/tic  Sea.  Bornholm,  island  in 
the,  247. 

Ban.     Father  of  Lancelot,  219. 

Ba'ri.  Capital  of  Rother,  89;  arri- 
val of  magician's  vessel  at,  93. 

Bau'ta.  a  memorial  stone  for  Beo- 
wulf, 21. 

Ba-va'ri-a.     Riidiger  rides  through, 

71. 

Bay'ard.  Aymon's  marvelous  steed, 
153;  Satan  steals,  153;  Malagigi  re- 
covers, 153;  Aymon  saved  by,  154; 
given  to  Renaud,  155;  Renaud 
and  his  brothers  escape  on,  15b; 
Renaud's  adventures  in  Paris  with, 
157  ;  Renaud's  escape  on,  158  ; 
timely  kick  of,  159;  Charlemagne 
demands  death  of,  161. 

Bech-i.ar'en.  Riidiger  of,  71,  120; 
Kriemhild  at,  73 ;  Burgundians  at, 
76. 

Bed'i-vere,  Sir.  Finds  Arthur  dy- 
ing, 231 ;  bids  Arthur  farewell,  232. 

Bee  Hunter.     See  BecnoulJ'. 


3ifi 


GLOSSARY  AND   INDEX. 


Bele  (be -la').  Heir  of  Sogn,  249; 
replaced  on  throne,  250 ;  conquers 
Orkney  Islands,  250  ;  helps  Thors- 
ten  secure  Volund  ring,  251  ;  sons 
of,  251;  last  instructions  of,  252; 
kings  seated  on  tomb  of,  254. 

Bel-fo-ra'do.  Given  to  Rodrigo,  285. 

Bel-I-a'gog.     Tristan  conquers,  244. 

Bel'li-gan.     City  of,  106. 

Bel-lis-san'de.    Wife  of  Ogier,  136. 

Bel'lyn.  Escort  of  Reynard,  46; 
death  of,  47 ;  deceived  by  Reynard, 
48  ;  accused  of  treachery,  49. 

Bel'ri-par.  Capital  of  Conduira- 
mour,  192;   Kardeiss  king  of,  201. 

Be-noit'  de  Sainte-More.  Poem 
of,  303 ;  popularity  of  work  of,  305. 

Be'o-wulf,  9-21;  epic  of,  9;  re- 
solves to  visit  Denmark,  1 1  ;  honors 
won  by,  12;  arrival  in  Denmark, 
13 ;  guards  Heorot  and  wounds 
Grendel,  13,  14;  receives  Brisinga- 
men,  15;  hears  of  ^schere's  death, 
15;  and  Grendel's  mother,  16,  17; 
regency  of,  18;  reign  of,  19;  adven- 
ture with  dragon,  19,  20;  death  and 
burial  of,  21. 

Berch'ther  of  Me'ran.  Adviser 
of  Rother,  89 ;  sons  of,  89 ;  accom- 
panies Rother,  90  ;  guardian  of 
Hugdietrich,  100;  journey  to  Thes- 
salonica,  loi  ;  finds  Wolfdietrich, 
102  ;  foster  father  of  Wolfdietrich, 
103 ;  warns  Wolfdietrich  against 
Rauch-Else,  104;  Wolfdietrich  re- 
members, 106 ;  sons  of  delivered 
from  captivity,  108;  rewards  given 
to  sons  of,  109. 

Berch'tung.  Ste  Berchther  of  Me- 
ran. 

Be-ril'lus.     Goes  to  Rome,  185. 

Bern.  Same  as  Verona,  77,  no; 
hero  of,  115,  116,  126;  Heime  in, 
115;  Wittich  in,  116;  Dietrich  re- 
turns to,  117,  121 ;  Wildeber  comes 
to,  117;  Laurin  a  prisoner  in,  120; 
Wittich's  return  to,  122;  Dietrich 
surrenders,  124;  Dietrich's  trium- 
phant entry  into,  126. 

Ber'n'ers,  Lord.  Translates  "  Huon 
of  Bordeaux,"  163. 

Ber'serk-er.  Rage,  24,  261  ;  Atl^  a, 
260. 


Ber-tan'ga  Land.  Same  as  Brit- 
ain, 123. 

Ber'tha.  I.  Mother  of  Charlemagne, 
129.  II.  Sister  of  Charlemagne 
and  mother  of  Roland,  133. 

Berthe'lot.     Same  as  Chariot,  155. 

Ber'wick.     See  Joyeuse  Garde. 

Bi'bung.  Dwarf  protector  of  Vir- 
ginal, 133. 

BjORN.  I.  Confidant  of  Frithiof,  254; 
plays  chess  with  Frithiof,  255  ; 
steers  Ellida,  259  ;  carries  men 
ashore,  259  ;  takes  charge  of  Ellida, 
264.    II.    Son  of  Ragnar,  274. 

Blaise.  A  holy  man  who  baptizes 
Merlin,  206. 

Blaive.  Roland  buried  at,  147  ; 
Lady  Aude  buried  at,  149. 

Blanche'fleur.  Wife  of  Meliadus 
and  mother  of  Tristan,  235. 

Bl5'de-lin.     Kriemhild  bribes,   80. 

Boc-cac'cio.  Makes  use  of  story 
of  Griseldis,  302. 

Bo'gen.     Son  of  Hildburg,  103. 

Bo'hort.     Cousin  of  Lancelot,  219. 

Bo-iar'do.  Writer  of  a  version  of 
the  adventures  of  Roland,  130,  302 ; 
love  of  the  marvelous  shown  in 
works  of,  307. 

Bol-fri-an'a.  Captivity  of,  116; 
Dietrich  rescues,  117;  Wittich  mar- 
ries, 122. 

Book  of  Heroes.  Same  as  "  Hel- 
denbuch,"  86;  Dietrich  principal 
character  in,  1 10. 

Bor-deaux'.  Huon  in  captivity  in, 
180. 

Born'holm.     Viking  born  in,  247. 

Bouillon  (boo-yon').     Godfrey  of, 

139- 
Bra-bant'.     Else,  Duchess  of,  202. 
Brang'waine.      Attendant  of  Iseult, 

240  ;  confidante  of  Iseult,  242  ;  Gan- 

hardin  falls  in  love  with  image  of, 

244. 
Brei'sach.     Harlungs  dwell  at,  123. 
Bre'ka.        Enters     into     swimming 

match  with  Beowulf,  12. 
Bret'land.     Sote  buried  in,  251. 
Bri-sin'ga-men.     Necklace  given  to 

Beowulf,  15. 
Brit'aix.     Same  as  Bertanga  land, 

123;  Uther  and  Pendragon's  wars 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX, 


317 


in,  208 ;  Holy  Grail  vanishes  from, 
208 ;  named  by  Brutus,  309 ;  in- 
vaded by  Romans,  309. 

British  Museum.   Manuscripts  in,  9. 

Brit'ons.     War  of,  208. 

Brit'ta-xy.  Soltane,  forest  in,  188; 
Broceliande  in,  212;  Arthur's  cam- 
paign in,  217;  Ban  king  of,  219; 
Lancelot  retires  to,  230 ;  Arthur's 
second  campaign  in,  230 ;  Tristan 
goes  to,  243 ;  Tristan  returns  to, 
244. 

Bro-ce-i.i-an'de.  Forest  in  Brittany, 
212. 

Brons.  Brother-in-law  of  Joseph  of 
Arimathea,  184. 

Brown.  Sent  to  summon  Reynard, 
39 ;  arrives  at  Malepartus,  39 ; 
caught  in  tree  trunk,  40 ;  returns 
to  court,  41 ;  injuries  of,  43 ;  im- 
prisonment of,  46 ;  release  of,  47. 

Brun'hild.  Gunther  wishes  to  mar- 
ry, 58  ;  test  of  strength  of,  60 ;  defeat 
of,  60  ;  leaves  her  own  country,  62  ; 
objects  to  Kriemhild's  marriage, 
62  ;  binds  Gunther,  63  ;  is  conquered 
by  Siegfried,  and  loses  fabulous 
strength,  63 ;  invites  Siegfried  and 
Kriemhild  to  Worms,  64  ;  quarrels 
with  Kriemhild,  64 ;  in  care  of  Ru- 
molt,  75  ;  son  of  made  king  of  Bur- 
gundy, 85 ;  Aslaug  daughter  of, 
274. 

Bru'te.      See  Brutus. 

Bru'tus.  Metrical  romance  of,  307; 
descendant  of  yEneas,  307  ;  adven- 
tures of,  307-309;  descendants  of, 

309-  I 

Bu'cAR.       Besieges    Valencia,    298; 

retreat  of,  299. 
Buch-AN'an.      Poem  of  on   Roland,  , 

130-  I 

Bur'gos.  Cid  born  at,  282;  Xime-  ! 
naat,  284 ;  inhabitants  weep  at  Cid's 
departure  from,  293. 
Bur-gun'di-axs.  Siegfried  chal- 
lenges, 56  ;  Nibelungs  support  king 
of,  61  ;  Nibelungs  angry  with,  69; 
nobles  escort  Kriemhild,  73  ;  often 
called  Nibelungs,  75  ;  warning  con- 
veyed to,  77;  see  hostility  <if  Iluns, 
79;  kindly  treated  by  Etzel,  79; 
murder  of  squires  of,  80;    bloody 


fight  of,  81  ;  bravery  of,  82  ; 
slaughter  of,  83;  name  Gunther's 
son  king,  85  ;  Hagen  a  hostage  for, 
124. 
Bur'gun-dv.  King  and  queen  of,  53  ; 
Siegfried  goes  to,  55 ;  threatened 
invasion  of,  56;  Brunhild  receives 
king  of,  59;  Kriemhild  remains  in, 
69;  Kriemhild  wishes  to  leave,  71  ; 
Kriemhild's  brothers  return  to,  73 ; 
chaplain  returns  to,  76;  Etzel 
promises  to  send  his  son  to,  80 ; 
Etzel  makes  peace  with,  1 24  ;  Hagen 
returns  to,  124;  Gunther,  king  of, 
124. 

Ca-la-iior'ra.  On  frontier  between 
Castile  and  Aragon,  286. 

Cam'ber.  Son  of  Brutus,  names 
Cambria,  309. 

Cam'bri-a.  Named  after  Camber,  309. 

Cam'e-lot.  Palace  at,  211,  218; 
feast  at,  217;  twelve  kings  buried 
at,  218  ;  Lancelot  at,  220,  221  ; 
knights  assemble  at,  224;  appear- 
ance of  Holy  Grail  at,  225  ;  knights 
return  to,  226 ;  Guinevere's  feast 
at,  226 ;  funeral  barge  arrives  at, 
228 ;  Lancelot  leaves  and  returns 
to,  229. 

Cam-pe-a-dor'.  Title  given  to  Cid, 
289,  290. 

Can'ter-1!UR-y  Tai.es.  Troilus  and 
Cressida  in,  305. 

Ca-pe'tia.\  kings.  Ogier  reaches 
France  during  reign  of  one  of,  138 ; 
origin  of  race  of,  181. 

Cap-I'a-do'cia.     Berillus  from,  185. 

Car'du-el.  Same  as  Carlisle,  208; 
knights  assemble  at,  209. 

Car-lisi.e'.     See  Carduel. 

Ca-ro-lin'gian  Legends,  129-181 ; 
Naismes  the  Nestor  of,  144. 

Car'ri-on,  Counts  or  Infantes 
OK.  Marry  Cid's  daughters,  295  ; 
cowardice  of,  295  ;  Cid's  followers 
gibe  at,  296 ;  illtreat  their  wives, 
296 ;  Alfonso's  anger  with,  297 ; 
before  the  Cortes,  297 ;  challenged, 
297  ;  defeat  of,  298. 

CAS-si-VEi.-i.Au'Nrs.  Tristan  may  be 
a  contemjiorary  of,  234 ;  a  descend- 
ant of  Brutus,  309. 


i8 


GLOSSAKV  AXD   IXDEX. 


Cas-tii.i:'.  Invasion  of,  283,  289; 
Calahorra  near,  286 ;  Don  Sancho 
king  of,  288  ;  Cid  and  Don  Sancho 
return  to,  289  ;  Cid's  raid  in,  294. 

Champ  de  Mars.  The  Frank  assem- 
bly, 36. 

Chan'son  de  Ro'i.a.nu.  Sung  at 
Hastings,  130;  most  famous  ver- 
sion of  Roland's  death,  147. 

Char'le-magne.  Conquers  Lom- 
hardy,  88,  129,  137;  and  his  pala- 
dins, 1 29 -1 5 1  ;  favorite  hero  of 
mediaeval  literature,  129;  champion 
of  Christianity,  129;  fabulous  ad- 
ventures of,  129;  Einhard  son-in- 
law  of,  130;  chansons  dc  gcstcs  re- 
ferring to,  130 ;  receives  angel's 
visit,  130;  conspirators  punished 
by,  131 ;  and  Frastrada,  131  ;  affec- 
tion of  for  Turpin,  132  ;  founds  Aix- 
la-Chapelle,  133;  and  the  boy 
Roland,  134;  asks  for  jewel  of 
knight  of  the  Ardennes,  134 ; 
knights  Roland,  135 ;  makes  war 
against  Denmark,  135 ;  releases 
Ogier,  136;  insulted  by  Ogier,  136s 
appearance  of,  136,  137,  141  ;  and 
Ogier,  137 ;  quarrels  with  Duke 
of  Genoa,  139 ;  Roland  champion 
of,  139;  vow  and  pilgrimage  of, 
139;  peers  of,  139;  vision  of,  140; 
besieges  Pamplona,  140 ;  pilgrimage 
of  to  Compostela,  140;  Aigolandus 
revolts  against,  141  ;  challenged  by 
Ferracute,  141 ;  sends  Ogier  to  fight 
Ferracute,  142 ;  dove  alights  on, 
143  ;  wars  in  Spain,  143  ;  sends  em- 
bassy to  Marsiglio,  144 ;  retreat  of, 
144;  hears  Roland's  horn,  145; 
Turpin  celebrates  mass  before,  147; 
returns  to  Roncesvalles,  147  ;  orders 
trial  of  Ganelon,  148 ;  Aymon  a 
peer  of,  152  ;  character  of,  152  ;  wars 
against  Aymon,  153;  treats  with 
Aymon,  154;  coronation  of  at  Rome, 
155;  hostility  toward  sons  of 
Aymon,  156;  captures  sons  of 
Aymon,  157;  bribes  Iwo,  158; 
Richard  carried  captive  to,  159;  be- 
sieges Montauljan,  159;  and  Mala- 
gigi,  160;  Aya  intercedes  with, 
161 ;  and  Bayard,  161  ;  Huon  does 
homage   to,    163;    gives   orders    to 


Huon,  163,  172;  tournament  of, 
179;  pardons  Huon,  18 1 ;  contem- 
porary of  Ragnar  Lodbrok,  269 ; 
Italian  cycle  treats  of,  302. 

Charles  the  Bald.  Struggles  of, 
152;  claims  descent  from  Trojan 
race,  307. 

Charles  Mar-tel'.  Deeds  of  attrib- 
uted to  Charlemagne,  129. 

Char'lot.  Kills  Ogier's  son,  136; 
Ogier  demands  death  of,  137 ;  Re- 
naud  defeats,  155;  quarrels  with 
Alard,  155  ;  death  of,  163. 

Chau'cer.  Uses  tale  of  Griseldis, 
302 ;  uses  Troilus  and  Cressida, 
305. 

Chrestiex  DETROYEs(kra-te-an'  deh 
trwii').      Poems  of,   182,  204,  219, 

234- 

Christ.  Jews  angry  against  Joseph 
for  burying,  183;  Vespasian  hears 
story  of,  183  ;  born  during  reign  of 
Cymbelinus,  309. 

Christian.  Faith  taught  to  Rezia, 
175;  legends,  184;  Fierefiss  be- 
comes a,  200;  faith,  277;  army  be- 
sieges Coimbra,  287 ;  king  takes 
Toledo,  294 ;  army  evacuates  Va- 
lencia, 300. 

Chris-ti-a'ni-a-Fiord.  Frithiof  in 
the,  264. 

Christianity.  Charlemagne  cham- 
pion of,  129;  Roland  argues  about, 
142 ;  sadly  mixed  with  mythology, 

303- 

Christians.  Triumph  in  Spain,  143; 
massacre  of,  145  ;  enmity  between 
Moors  and,  154;  can  take  Toledo, 
290 ;  Bucar  retreats  before,  299 ; 
Moors  routed  by,  299. 

Chronicle  of  Turpin,  140. 

Cid,  The,  282-300;  birth  of,  282; 
Ximena  accuses,  284;  Ximena  mar- 
ries, 285  ;  pilgrimage  of  to  Santiago 
de  Compostela,  285  ;  adventure  with 
leper,  286;  duel  of  with  Martin 
Gonzalez,  286;  saved  by  Moorish 
kings,  287  ;  at  Zamora  with  Ximena, 
287 ;  defeats  champion  of  Henry 
III.,  288;  vassal  of  Don  Sancho, 
288 ;  victories  of,  289 ;  conducts 
siege  of  Zamora,  291 ;  banished 
])y  Alfonso,  293;  at  Valencia,  294; 


GLOSSAKV  A.V/)    I.VDEX. 


319 


cowardly  sons-in-law  of,  295 ; 
daughters  of  illtreated,  296;  at  the 
Cortes,  297;  offers  Babie9a  to  Al- 
fonso, 297 ;  returns  to  Valencia, 
298 ;  warned  of  coming  deatli,  298  ; 
last  instructions  of,  298 ;  death  of, 
299 ;  last  victory  of,  299  ;  body  of  in 
state,  300 ;  sword  of,  300 ;  chronicle 
of,  302. 

Ci-saire',  pass  of.  Roland's  ghost 
at,  145. 

Claretie  (kla-re-te').  Ancestress  of 
Capetian  race,  181. 

Clar'ice.     Ogier  marries,  138. 

Cla-ris'sa.  Wife  of  Renaud,  156; 
treachery  of  father  of,  158;  inter- 
cedes for  her  father,  1 59 ;  death  of, 
161. 

Cleves.     Henry  the  Fowler  at,  202. 

Co-im'bra.     Siege  of,  287. 

Co-La'da.  Sword  won  by  Cid,  294; 
given  to  Infante  of  Carrion,  296 ; 
recovery  of,  297. 

Co-logne'.  Death  and  burial  of  Re- 
naud at,  162. 

Con-duir'a-mour.  Parzival  rescues 
and  marries,  192;  Parzival  reminded 
of,  195  ;  at  Montsalvatch,  200 ;  chil- 
dren of,  201. 

Con'stans.  King  of  England,  205  ; 
sons  of,  205,  208. 

CoN'STAX-TiNE.  I.  Father  of  Oda, 
89  ;  and  Rother,  90-93.  II.  Son  of 
Constans,  205. 

CoN-STAN"-Ti-No'PLE.  Embassy  ar- 
rives at,  89;  Rother's  visit  to,  89- 
93,  100;  Anzius  emperor  of,  100; 
Hildburg  goes  to,  102 ;  Wolfdie- 
trich  king  of,  103,  108;  the  Nor- 
mans in,  281. 

Co-ri-Ne'a.    Same  as  Cornwall,  309. 

Co-ri-ne'us.  Companion  of  Brutus, 
308 ;  the  original  Jack  the  Giant 
Killer,  308 ;  kills  Goemagot,  309. 

Corn'wall.  Tintagel  in,  209  ;  Gor- 
lois  duke  of,  209 ;  Mark  king  of, 
235,  240 ;  Tristan  in,  236,  237,  238  ; 
Iseult  embarks  for,  241  ;  Iseult 
lands  in,  242 ;  Tristan's  passion  for 
Iseult  of,  243,  244;  Kurvenal's 
journey  to,  244 ;  arrival  in  Brittany  of 
Iseultof,  245  ;  Tristan  and  Iseultbur- 
ied  in,  245  ;  Corineus  settles  in,  309. 


Cor'tes.  Infantes  of  Carrion  at  the, 
297,  298. 

Cri'-sades'.  Influence  of  on  litera- 
ture, 302. 

Cym-be-li'.\us.  Christ  born  during 
reign  of,  309. 

Dau'o-heri'.  Claims  descent  from 
Trojan  race,  307. 

Dane.  Hawart  the,  81  ;  Dietlieb  the, 
117;  Ogier  the,  129,  135. 

Danes.  Beowulf  escorted  by,  16; 
gratitude  of,  18  ;  disapprove  of  Rag- 
nar's  marriage,  274;  Eystein  de- 
clares war  against,  276. 

Dan'ish.  Writers,  246;  dynasty 
connected  with  Sigurd,  269 ;  ships 
burned  by  English,  276;  kings 
make  raids,  280;  settlements,  280. 

Dank' rat.     King  of  Burgundy,  53. 

Dank'wakt.  Under  Siegfried's 
orders,  56;  accompanies  Gunther 
to  Issland,  59 ;  suspicion  of,  59,  61 ; 
goes  to  Hungary,  75  ;  helps  Hagen, 
76 ;  warns  Hagen,  80. 

Dan'ube.  Journey  of  Kriemhild 
down  the,  73 ;  Burgundians  reach 
the,  75. 

Den'mark.  Hrothgar  king  of,  9; 
Beowulf  sails  for,  12;  Wealtheow 
queen  of,  15;  Ludegast  king  of, 
56 ;  Charlemagne  defeats  king  of, 
135;  Ogier  king  of,  136;  Krake 
queen  of,  274. 

Des'ert  Bab-y-lo'ni-a.  Kingdom 
of  Imelot,  91  ;  Constantine  takes 
possession  of,  92. 

Des-i-I)e'ri-us.     See  Didier. 

Di-a'na.     Brutus  in  temple  of,  308. 

Did'i-er.     Ogier  flees  to,  136. 

Diego  Laynez  (de-a'go  la'nez).  In- 
sulted by  Don  Gomez,  282 ;  avenged 
by  Rodrigo,  283  ;  takes  Rodrigo  to 
court,  283. 

Di-e'go  Or-oo'nez,  Don.  Sends 
challenge  to  Don  Arias  Gonzalo, 
291. 

Die-te-lin'de.  Daughter  of  Rudiger, 
73  ;  Giselher  betrothed  to,  77. 

Die'ther.  Brought  up  by  Hilde- 
brand,  112;  Helche  cares  for,  124; 
death  of,  126. 

Diet'lieb.     Merry-making  and  ath- 


320 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


letic  feats  of,  117;  lord  of  Steier- 
mark,  118;  and  Laurin,  119,  120; 
victory  and  reward  of,  120. 

Diet'mar.  Grandson  of  Wolfdie- 
trich,  109;  ruler  of  Bern,  no; 
death  of,  121. 

Dik'trich  von  Bern.  Warns  Bur- 
gundians,  77  !  defies  Kriemhild, 
78 ;  abstains  from  tournament,  79 ; 
Kriemhild  tries  to  bribe,  80;  a  safe- 
conduct  for,  81  ;  saves  Etzel  and 
Kriemhild,  81;  hears  of  Riidiger's 
death,  83  ;  fights  and  captures  Gun- 
ther  and  Hagen,  84;  lament  of,  85  ; 
ancestors  of,  109;  story  of,  iio- 
128;  birth  of,  no;  fiery  breath  of, 
no,  119;  Hildebrand  friend  and 
teacher  of,  no;  adventure  of  with 
Hilde  and  Grim,  in;  wins  sword 
Nagelring,  in;  fights  with  Sigenot, 
112;  sees  and  rescues  Virginal,  112- 
114;  marries  Virginal,  114;  gains 
possession  of  Heime  and  Falke,  115; 
Wittich's  adventure  with,  116;  ad- 
ventures of  with  Ecke  and  Fasolt, 
116;  delivers  Sintram,  117;  visits 
Rome,  117;  and  Laurin,  118-120; 
visits  Etzel,  121  ;  becomes  king  of 
Amaling  land,  121 ;  victories  in 
Wilkina  land,  121  ;  wars  against 
Rimstein,  122;  Eckhardt  joins,  123; 
Ermenrich  wars  against,  123  ;  wooes 
Hilde,  123;  exile  of  in  Hungary, 
124;  victories  and  wounds  of,  125; 
returns  to  Bern,  125  ;  fights  against 
Ermenrich,  126;  marriage  of,  126; 
kills  Sibich,  127;  made  emperor  of 
West,  127;  old  age  of,  128;  Wild 
Hunt  led  by,  128;  Ragnar  saga  like 
saga  of,  269. 

Doi/fos,  Vel'li-do  or  Bel'li-do. 
Murders  Don  Sancho,  291. 

Dor-dogne'.  Aymon  of,  152;  Lord 
Hug  of,  152. 

Dort'mund.  Renaud's  body  at, 
162. 

Dou'ro.      River  in  Spain,  296. 

Do'ver.  Arthur  encounters  Mordred 
near,  230. 

Dra'chen-fei.s.  Dietrich  saves  lady 
of,  116;  Wittich  marries  lady  of, 
122;  Roland  wooes  maid  of,  150; 
Roland's  return  to,  151. 


Dragon  Slayer,  Surname  of  Sieg- 
fried, 275. 

Dragons.  See  Beowulf,  Siegfried, 
Ortnit,  Wolfdietrich,  Tristan,  Rag- 
nar. 

Dray'ton.  Author  of "  Polyolbion," 
310. 

Dru'si-an.  Kidnaps  Sigeminne,  105  ; 
Wolfdietrich  captive  of,  105  ;  death 
of,  106. 

Dub'lin.  Morold's  corpse  carried 
to,  237;  Tristan's  visit  to,  238. 

Du'o-LIN  DE  May'ence.  A  chan- 
son de  geste,  152. 

Du-ran-da'na.  Sword  of  Roland, 
139 ;  powerless  upon  Ferracute, 
142  ;  Roland  disposes  of,  146. 

Ead'gils.     Son  of  Othere,  19. 
East.     Ogier  goes  to  the,  138;  Holy 

Grail  in  the   far,  201  ;  Alexander's 

journey  to  the,  305  ;  wealth  of  the, 

306. 
East  Goth'land.    Thora  dwells  in, 

271. 
Eck'e.     Giant  killed  by  Falke,  116; 

Dietrich  takes  sword  of,  117. 
Eck'en-lied.     Story  of  Ecke,  116. 
Eck'e-sax.     Sword  of  Ecke,  117. 
Eck'e-WART.    I.  Escorts  Kriemhild, 

64;    remains  with   Kriemhild,   70; 

accompanies  Kriemhild  to  Hungary, 

72;  warns   Burgundians,    76.      II. 

See  Eckhardt. 
Eck'hardt.     Fidelity  of,    109,  123; 

flees  to  Dietrich,  123. 
Ec'tor  de  Ma'ris,  Sir.     Lancelot 

eulogized  by,  233. 
Ed'da.     Hilde  in  the,  22;   Hedin  in 

the,  25. 
Ein'hard.      Son-in-law    of    Charle- 
magne, 130. 
Ein-he'ri-ar.    Ragnar  leader  of  the, 

279. 
E-laine'.     Story  of,  227-229. 
El'be-gast.     Same  as  Alberich,  ni ; 

Charlemagne's  adventure  with,  130, 

131- 
E'li-as.     See  Ylyas. 
El-ki'nar.     Isegrim   bound  to  bell 

at,  42. 
Ei/i.A.      King    of    Northumberland, 

captures  and  kills  Ragnar,  278;  de- 


GLOSSARY  AM)   INDEX. 


3^1 


feats  Riignar's  sons,  279  ;  gives  land 
to  Normans,  279;  Ivar  kills,  280. 

El-L1'I)A.  The  dragon  shij^  given  to 
Viking  by-l'>gir,  250;  belongs  to 
Frithiof,  253;  in  the  storm,  258; 
arrives  at  Urkney  Islands,  259; 
Frithiof  sails  in,  262. 

El'se.  Story  of  Lohengrin  and, 
201-3. 

El-si-noke'.    Ogier  sleeping  in,  136. 

El-vi'ra,  Dona.  Receives  Toro, 
288 ;  robbed  of  Toro,  290. 

Em'er-ald  Isi.e,  23. 

Eng'land.  Invasion  of,  9;  rhyme 
introduced  in,  9 ;  Clarice,  princess 
of,  13S;  Ogier  leaves,  138;  Hengist 
driven  from,  205 ;  Merlin  brings 
stones  to,  208;  Merlin's  predictions 
concerning  future  of,  210;  Arthur's 
name  in,  214;  dissensions  in,  229; 
firm  belief  in  concerning  Arthur's 
return,  232;  vikings'  raids  in,  276; 
stone  altars  in,  280 ;  tradition  of 
Trojan  descent  in,  307. 

Eng'lish.  Version  of  Roland,  130; 
more  than  eighteen  versions  of 
Frithiof  saga  in,  246 ;  fight  Rag- 
nar's  sons  at  Whitaby,  276. 

E'nid  THE  Fair.    Story  of,  222-224. 

Enigee  (a'ne-zha).  Sister  of  Joseph 
of  Arimathea,  184. 

E'rec.  Name  for  Geraint  in  French 
and  German  poems,  223. 

E'rik.  Son  of  Ragnar,  272  ;  a  great 
viking,  274 ;  attacked  by  enchanted 
Q.OW,  276. 

Er'me-ly.\.  Wife  of  Reynard,  45, 
46,  47. 

Er'men-rich.  Treasure  of,  45; 
emperor  of  the  West,  no;  Die- 
trich's visit  to,  117;  Dietlieb  re- 
warded l)y,  118;  Dietrich  helps, 
122;  and  Sibicli,  122,  123;  wars 
against  Dietrich,  126  ;  death  of,  126. 

Er'mo-nie.     Meliadus  lord  of,  234. 

Erp.  Son  of  Helche,  125  ;  death  of, 
126. 

Es-clar-mon'de.  Same  as  Rezia, 
171,  175  '  e^rly  version  of  story  of, 
180. 

Es-tre-ma-du'ra.  Moors  defeated 
in,  2S7. 

E-tru'ri-a.     Luna  in,  276. 
21 


E  r'zKL.  Same  as  Atli,  53 ;  wooes 
Kriemhild,  71  ;  Kricnihild  sets  out 
for  court  of,  72  ;  Kriendiild  wife  of, 
73;  invites  15urgundians  to  Hun- 
gary, 74;  welcomes  IJurgundians, 
78  ;  banquet  of,  79  ;  promises  to  send 
son  to  Jiurgundy,  80;  saved  from 
massacre,  81  ;  l?urgundians  wish  to 
treat  with,  82;  cannot  save  Ilagen, 
84;  lament  of,  85;  Helche  marries, 
94;  Dietlieb  serves,  iiS;  Dietrich 
visits,  121,  124;  Walther  escapes 
from,  124;  gold  stolen  from,  124; 
cowardice  of,  125;  helps  iJietricii, 
125  ;  marries  Kriemhild,  126;  killed 
by  Aldrian,  127;  same  as  Attila, 
128. 

Eu'roi'E.  "  Beowulf  "  oldest  relic  of 
spoken  language  in,  9;  "  Reynard 
the  Fox"  popular  in,  35  ;  to  be  in- 
fested by  dragons,  98  ;  Charlemagne 
conquers  nearly  all,  140 ;  introduc- 
tion of  legend  of  Holy  Grail  in, 
182  ;  popularity  of  Arthurian  legends 
in,  214;  popularity  of  "  Roman  de 
Troie  "  in,  304. 

Eu-ro-pe'an.  Versions  of  legends, 
205 ;  versions  of  Tristan,  234 ; 
languages,  sagas  translated  into, 
246 ;  states,  romances  current  in, 
301  ;  nations,  classical  romances  in, 
303;  versions  of  Iliad,  304;  litera- 
ture, mention  of  Fountain  of  Youth 
in,  306 ;  colonization,  307. 

Ex-cal'i-bur.  Arthur's  sword,  217; 
Arthur  disposes  of,  231. 

Ey'siein.  Ragnar  visits,  274;  wars 
against  Danes,  276  ;  magic  cow  of, 
276. 

Fa'e-rie  Queene.  Merlin's  foun- 
tain mentioned  in,  21 1  ;  contains 
mediivval  legends,  310. 

Faf'NIR.     Sigurd  slayer  of,  269,  274. 

Faf'ms-kane.  Surname  of  Sigurd, 
274. 

Fair  An'net.  Loved  by  Lord  Thom- 
as, 245. 

Fa'mes,  Marquis  of.  Sword  Tizo- 
na  in  family  of,  300. 

Fal'ke.  Horse  of  Dietrich,  115; 
kills  Ecke,  116. 

Fal'ster  Wood.   Heime  in  the,  1 1 7. 


322 


GLOSSARY  AXD   INDEX. 


Fa'solt.     Dietrich  defeats,  117. 
Fa'ta  Mor-ga'xa.      Mirage  called, 

95- 
Fat'i-ma.     Attendant  of  Rezia,  173; 

in  Tunis,  177;  finds  Amanda,  178; 

taken  to  fairyland,  179:   rescued  by 

Huon  and  Sherasmin,  180. 

Fe'lez  Mu-noz.'  Nephew  of  Cid, 
296 ;  rescues  his  cousins,  296. 

Fkr'di-XAXD.  Rodrigo's  first  visit 
to,  283  ;  recalls  Rodrigo,  284  ;  Xim- 
ena  before,  284 ;  receives  gifts  from 
Cid,  287;  Henry  III.  complains  of 
to  Pope,  287;  threatened  by  Pope, 
288 ;  Cid's  victories  for,  288 ;  death 
and  legacies  of,  288. 

Fer'ra-CUTE.  Challenges  Charle- 
magne, 141  ;  defeats  Ogier  and  Re- 
naud,  142 ;  fights  and  argues  with 
Roland,  142,  143 ;  Otuel,  nephew 
of,  143. 

Fer'ra-GUS.      See  Fcrracute. 

FiEREFlSS  (fyar-e-fes').  Encounters 
Parzival,  199;  conversion  and  mar- 
riage of,  200 ;  father  of  founder  of 
Knights  Templars,  200. 

Fire'drake.  Ravages  of  the,  19; 
slain  by  Beowulf,  20. 

Flam'berge.  Sword  of  Aymon, 
154;  Renaud,  owner  of,  158;  Re- 
naud  breaks,  161. 

Fi.an'ders.      "Reynard    the    Fox" 

in.  35- 
Flor'e.nce.     Council  at,  287. 

Flor'i-da.     Ponce  de  Leon  in,  306. 

Fountain  of  Youth,  306. 

Fram'nas.  Home  of  Thorsten  and 
Frithiof,  250,  251,  253;  ruins  of, 
261. 

Fraxce.  "Reynard  the  Fox"  in, 
35  ;  Charlemagne  principal  hero  of, 
129;  Ogier  in,  136,  138;  Charle- 
magne in,  140,141,  144,  148;  Iluon 
embarks  for,  174;  Capetian  kings 
of,  181  ;  legend  of  Holy  Grail  in, 
1S2 ;  Merlin  brings  armies  from, 
210;  viking  raids  in,  276;  king  of, 
289. 

Fraxks.  And  "  Reynard  the  Fox," 
35  ;  assemlily  of,  36;  hostage  from, 
124;  at  feud  with  Lombardy,  136. 

Fras-trad'a.  Wife  of  Charlemagne, 
I.I. 


Fred'er-ick  Bar-bar-os'sa.  Ogier 
like,  136. 

Fred'er-ick  of  Tel'ra-muxij. 
Guardian  and  oppressor  of  Else, 
202  ;  defeated  by  Lohengrin,  203. 

French.  Version  of  Roland,  130; 
army  betrayed  Ijy  Ganelon,  144; 
version  of  Tristan,  234 ;  kings  de- 
scended from  Priam,  307. 

Frie'sian.  Invasion,  18;  sea,  Char- 
lemagne's vision  of,  140. 

Fries'laxd.     Invasion  of,  18. 

Fri-mou-tel'.  Anointed  king,  188; 
death  of,  189. 

Frithiof  (frit'yof).  Story  of,  246- 
268  ;  saga  put  into  verse  by  Tegner, 
246;  birth  of,  251  ;  loves  Ingeborg, 
251,  252;  home  of,  253;  sues  for 
hand  of  Ingeborg,  254;  suit  of  re- 
jected, 255  ;  Ingeborg's  brothers  ask 
aid  of,  255  ;  meets  Ingeborg  in  tem- 
ple, 256 ;  tries  to  make  terms  with 
kings,  257;  journey  to  Orkney 
Islands,  258  ;  in  tempest,  259  ;  fights 
Atle,  260;  visits  Angantyr,  261; 
returns  to  Framnas,  261  ;  goes  into 
exile,  262  ;  becomes  a  pirate,  263  ; 
visits  Sigurd  Ring,  264;  Ingeborg 
recognizes,  265  ;  loyalty  of,  265 ; 
guardian  of  infant  king,  266 ;  re- 
builds temple,  267;  marries  Inge- 
borg, 267. 

Frute.  Follower  of  Hettel,  25 ;  in 
quest  of  Hilde,  26. 

Ga'her-is.  Doubts  Arthur's  title  to 
throne,  216. 

Ga-la'fre.  Huon  and  Sherasmin  at 
court  of,  180. 

Gal'a-had,  Sir.  Knighted  by  Lance- 
lot, 224;  occupies  "Siege  Peril- 
ous," 224;  sees  Holy  Grail,  226. 

Ga-I,i'CIA.  Charlemagne  called  to, 
140;  Don  Garcia  king  of,  288,  289. 

Ga-i.i'ciax.  Nobles  refuse  to  ex- 
change prisoners,  289. 

Gai,'y-ex.  Son  of  Oliver,  and  king 
of  Jerusalem,  140. 

Gai/y-ex  Rhet-or-I^:'.  A  chanson 
de  gcste,  139. 

Ga'mi'-ret.  Marries  Herzeloide, 
188. 

Ga'XE-I.iin.    TicaLlicry  of,  144,  145; 


G/.OSSAKY  A  A'/)    IXJ)EX. 


323 


accused  and  sentenced,  148  ;  advises 
Chariot,  155. 

Ganhardin  (giin-har-dan').  Wishes 
to  marry  Brangwaine,  244. 

GARADiE(ga-ra-de'),  CouNi.  Hagen 
in  the  hands  of,  24. 

Gar-ci'a,  Don.  King  of  Galicia, 
288 ;  seizes  Zamora,  289 ;  cHes  in 
captivity,  290. 

Gau'dkn.  Wolfdietrich  al,  107; 
llerhrand  receives,  109;  Ililde- 
hrand  inherits,  109;  Krinenrich 
takes,  123;  Dietrich  master  of, 
126;  Hildebrand's  return  to,  126. 

Ga'reth,  Sir.  Knighted  by  Lance- 
lot, 221;  adventures  with  Lynette, 
222;  Geraint  brother  of,  222. 

Ga'RY.  Messenger  sent  by  Gunther 
to  Siegfried,  64;  goes  to  Hungary, 

75- 

Ga'wain.  Rides  after  Parzival,  196; 
and  Duchess  Orgueilleuse,  197 ; 
adventures  with  Gramoflaus  and 
Klingsor,  197,  198;  marriage  of, 
198  ;  one  of  Arthur's  knights,  209  ; 
doubts  Arthur's  title  to  throne,  216; 
strength  of,  216;  comes  to  Astolat, 
228. 

Geates.  Minstrel  flees  to  the,  1 1  ; 
Beowulf  escorted  by  the,  16;  wait 
for  Beowulf,  17;  return  with  Hy- 
gelac's  body,  18. 

Geirs'-odd.  Sacrificial  runes  called, 
266. 

Gei/frat.      Fights  Hagen,  76. 

Gen'o-a,  Duke  ok.  Charlemagne's 
quarrel  with,  139. 

Geok'frey  de  Ligny  (len'ye).  Au- 
thor of  a  Lancelot  romance,  219. 

Geof'fkey  of  Mon'.mouth.  Writ- 
ings of,  204,  307,  309. 

Gep'i-d.^.  Settle  in  Pannonia,  86; 
quarrel  with  Lombards,  87. 

Ge-raint'.  Brother  of  Gareth,  222; 
story  of  Enid  and,  222-224. 

Ge-ras'mes.      See  Sherasmin. 

Ger'hart.  Claims  Liebgart's  hand, 
108. 

Ger'ims-burg.     Siege  of,  122. 

Ger-lin'da.  Cruelty  of,  30-32  ; 
death  of,  z^. 

Ger'man.  Manuscript  of  "  Gudrun," 
\  on    Ofterdintren 


literature,  53  ;  language,  Eckewart's 
fidelity  proverl)ial  in,  70;  version  of 
Roland  legend,  130;  Wagner  a, 
182  ;  more  than  eighteen  versions  of 
Frithiof  saga  in,  246. 

Ger'.ma-.\y.  Maximilian  emperor 
of,  22;  Ilettel  king  of,  25;  "  Rey- 
nard the  Fox  "  in,  35  ;  the  greatest 
epic  of,  53  ;  in  Charlemagne's  vision, 
140;  legend  of  Holy  Grail  in,  182; 
Henry  the  Fowler  emperor  of,  202  ; 
Henry  III.  emperor  of,  287. 

Ger'nut.  Son  of  Dankrat  and  Ute, 
53 ;  under  Siegfried's  orders,  56 ; 
advice  of,  57;  Hagen  tries  to  rouse 
anger  of,  66 ;  sympathy  of,  69 ; 
anger  of,  71  ;  escorts  Kriemhild  to 
Vergen,  73  ;  sword  of,  77 ;  death  of, 

83- 

Gier'e-mund.  Reynard  insults,  36 ; 
wooed  by  Reynard,  38. 

Git/das.     307. 

Gi-KARI)'.  L  Brother  of  Huon, 
killed  by  Chariot,  163.  IL  A  knight, 
steals  Huon's  casket,  180;  pun- 
ished by  Oberon,  181. 

Gis'el-her.  Son  of  Dankrat  and 
Ute,  53;  under  Siegfried's  orders, 
56  ;  reproves  Hagen,  66  ;  sympathy 
of,  69;  angry  with  Hagen,  71  ;  es- 
corts Kriemhild  to  Vergen,  73 ; 
betrothal   of,  77. 

Glas'ton-bur-y.  Holy  Grail  at, 
185  ;  Arthur  buried  at,  232;  Guine- 
vere and  Lancelot  buried  at,  233. 

God'frey  of  Bouii/i.ON.  Ancestor 
of,  139;   king  of  Jerusalem,  161. 

GoEmagot  (go-e-mii-got').  Corineus 
kills,  309. 

Goethe  (go'teh)    "Reineke  Fuchs  " 
of,  36;    admiration  of  for  Tegner, ' 
246. 

Go'mez,  Don.  Insults  Don  Diego 
I>aynez,  282  ;  challenged  and  killed 
by  Rodrigo,  283 ;  Ximena  daughter 
of,  284. 

Gor'i.o-is.  Lord  of  Tintagel,  wars 
against  Uther  Pendragon,  209; 
death  of,  210;  Arthur  not  a  son  of, 
210. 

Go-te-i.in'de.    Wife  of  Riidiger,  73. 

Goth'i,and,  East,  271. 

Gurus.     Sec  (Jcates. 


324 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


GoTT' FRIED        VON         StRASS'BURG. 

Treats    of    Holy    Grail,    182,   204; 
version  of  "  Tristan  ''  of,  234. 
GozzoLl    (got'so-lee).      Painting    of, 

304- 

Grail.     See  Holy  Grail. 

Gram'o-flaus.  Encounter  of  with 
Gawain,  197;  Parzival  champion  of, 
198;  marries  Itonie,  198. 

Gran.  Capital  of  Etzel,  73 ;  min- 
strels return  to,  75. 

Gra'vain.  One  of  Artliur's  knights, 
209. 

Greece.  Hertnit  earl  of,  121; 
Tristan  known  in,  234 ;  isles  of, 
264;  viking  raid  in,  276;  popu- 
larity of  Iliad  in,  304;  Brutus  goes 
to,  307 ;    Pandrasus    king    of,   308. 

Greek.  Islands  invaded  by  vikings, 
276  ;  epics,  303  ;  post-classical  writ- 
ings, 303  ;  rhapsodists'  work  contin- 
ued, 304 ;  writers  busy  with  Alex- 
ander, 305. 

Gren'del.  Heorot  visited  by,  10; 
warriors  slain  by,  1 1  ;  Beowulf  and, 
12  —  14;  niother  of,  15;  Beowulf 
visits  retreat  of,  16,  17. 

Grif'fix.      Hagen  carried  off  by  a, 

23- 

Grim.  Depredations  of,  iii;  killed 
by  Dietrich,  1 1 1  ;  Sigenot  vows  to 
avenge,  112. 

Grim'bart.  Cousin  of  Reynard,  36; 
defends  Reynard,  37 ;  pleads  for 
Reynard,  38 ;  carries  message  to 
Reynard,  42 ;  absolves  Reynard, 
42 ;  reproves  Reynard,  43 ;  warns 
Reynard,  47 ;  takes  Reynard  to 
court,  48. 

Grim'hild.       See  Kricinhild. 

(iRi-SEL'Dis.     Tale  of,  302. 

(iuAR'DA.     See  Garden. 

Gu'drun.  I.  The  poem,  22.  II. 
Daughter  of  Hettel  and  Ilildc,  27; 
suitors  of,  28;  kidnaped  by  Hart- 
niut,  29;  slavery  of,  30;  swan 
maiden  visits,  31  ;  rebellion  of,  32; 
rescue  of,  33  ;  marries  Her  wig,  34. 
III.    Same  as  Kriemhild,  53. 

Guer'in  de  Mont'c.i.ave.  a  chan- 
son de  gestc,  139. 

Gui-ENNe'.  Huon  and  Girard  on 
the  viray  from,  163  ;    Huon's  patri- 


mony of,  179;  Huon's  journey  to, 
180. 

Guild'ford.     See  Astolat. 

Guin'e-vere.  Marries  Arthur,  217  ; 
and  Lancelot,  220,  221;  favors  of, 
227;  hears  of  Lancelot  and  Elaine, 
228 ;  saved  by  Lancelot,  229 ;  and 
Mordred,  230  ;  at  Almesbury,  232  ; 
death  of,  233;  Iseult  like,  242; 
Iseult  meets,  244. 

Guis'cARD.    Son  of  Aymon  and  Aya, 

154- 

Gung'thiof.     Son  of  Frithiof,  267. 

Gun'nar.     Same  as  Gunther,  53. 

Gux'ther.  Same  as  Gunnar,  53; 
Siegfried  at  court  of,  55,  56;  goes 
to  Issland  to  woo  Brunhild,  59 ; 
contest  of  with  Brunhild,  60 ; 
marriage  of,  61  ;  gives  Kriem- 
hild to  Siegfried,  62 ;  bound  by 
Brunhild,  63 ;  invites  Siegfried  to 
Worms,  64;  influenced  by  Hagen, 
66 ;  race  of,  67 ;  protector  of 
Kriemhild,  68 ;  reconciled  to 
Kriemhild,  70;  plans  to  secure 
hoard,  71  ;  receives  Hun  em- 
bassy, 72 ;  goes  to  Hungary,  75 ; 
entertained  by  Riidiger,  77 ;  enter- 
tained by  Etzel,  80;  grants  safe- 
conduct  to  Dietrich,  81  ;  refuses  to 
surrender  Hagen,  82 ;  imprison- 
ment and  death  of,  84 ;  son  of, 
85;  encounter  with  Walther,  124; 
wounds  of,  125. 

Gur'xe-manz.  Educates  Parzival, 
192,  196. 

Gu'trux.      See  Kriemhild. 

Ha'che.     Receives  Rhine  land,  109. 

Had'burg.      Prophecy  of,  75. 

Had'u-brand.  Son  of  Hildebrand, 
126;  makes  himself  known  to  his 
father,    127. 

Ha'gen.  I.  Son  of  Sigeband,  car- 
ried off  by  a  griffin,  23  ;  adventures 
and  marriage  of,  24 ;  daughter  of, 
25  ;  fights  Hettel,  27.  II.  Same  as 
Hfigni,  53 ;  describes  Siegfried's 
prowess,  55;  accompanies  (iunther 
to  Issland,  59  ;  promises  to  avenge 
Brunhild,  65;  deceives  Kriemhild,. 
66  ;  kills  Siegfried,  67  ;  glories  in 
his  treachery,  68 ;  the  touch  of,  69 ; 


CLOSSA/^y  A.\j:>  JNDEX. 


325 


hatred  of  Kricmhild  for,  70 ;  seizes 
hoard,  71;  welcomes  Rudiger,  71; 
warns  Hurgundians,  72,  74;  Kriem- 
hild  plans  to  have  revenge  upon, 
73 ;  swan  maidens  and,  75  ;  adven- 
ture at  the  ferry,  76 ;  receives  shield 
from  Riidiger,  77  ;  Etzel  welcomes, 
78 ;  alliance  with  X'olker,  78 ; 
frightens  Huns,  79;  kills  Ortlieb, 
80;  Kriemhild  offers  reward  for 
death  of,  81  ;  Kriemhild  asks  sur- 
render of,  82;  J  Dietrich  asks  sur- 
render of,  83  ;  captivity  and  death 
of,  84;  a  hostage  of  Etzel,  124; 
loses  an  eye,  125 ;  Aldrian  son  of, 
127. 

Halk'dan.  I.  Friend  of  Viking,  247 ; 
makes  friends  with  Njorfe,  248 ; 
Viking's  sons  visit,  249.  II.  Son 
of  Bele,  251;  character  of,  252; 
king  of  Sogn,  253 ;  guardian  of 
Ingeborg,  255;  Sigurd  Ring  wars 
against,  256  ;  Frithiof  wars  against, 
267. 

Hal' o-GA- LAND.  North  Norway 
called,  246. 

Hal'o-GE.  Same  as  Loki,  rules 
Halogaland,  246;  Viking  the  grand- 
son of,  247. 

Ham.     Witch  summoned  by  Helge, 

258. 

Har'DRED.  Son  of  Hygelac,  reign 
of,  18. 

Har'lungs.    Sibich  betrays  the,  123. 

Hart'mann  vox  Aue,  204. 

Hart'mut.  Prince  of  Normandy, 
28 ;  kidnaps  Gudrun,  29 ;  Gudrun 
refuses  to  marry,  29 ;  rescues 
Gudrun  from  drowning,  30 ;  pre- 
pares to  marry  Gudrun,  32 ;  res- 
cues Gudrun,  t,;^  ;  saved  by  Gudrun, 
2Z  ;  a  captive,  34 ;  marries  Hergart, 
and  is  released,  34. 

Has'san.  Name  assumed  by  Huon 
in  Tunis,  177. 

Hast'ings.  I.  l!attle  of,  130.  II. 
Foster  father  of  Sigurd  the  Snake- 
eyed,  275  ;  and  Ragnar's  sons,  276; 
strategy  of,  277. 

Ha'wart.     Death  of,  81. 

Hec'tor,  Sir.  Arthur  fostered  by, 
210,  214;  visit  of  to  London, 
215. 


Hed'in.  I. over  of  Hilde,  22;  same 
as  Hettel,  25. 

He'ge-lixg  Legend,  23. 

Hi;'(;e-lings.  Family  of  the,  23; 
Hettel  king  of  the,  25  ;  Hilde  flees 
with  the,  27;  at  the  Wiiljiensand, 
29 ;  come  to  Normandy,  32 ;  re- 
turn home,  34. 

Heid.  Witch  summoned  by  lielg6, 
258. 

Hei'me.  Challenges  Dietrich,  1 15; 
becomes  a  brigand,  117;  steals 
Mimung,  121  ;  forced  to  restore 
IMimung,  122. 

Hei'jMIR.     Protector  of  Aslaug,  274. 

Hein'rich  von  Of'ter-ding-en, 
86. 

Helche.  Wife  of  Etzel,  71,  124; 
daughter  of  Rother  and  Oda,  94. 

Hel'den-buch.  The  "  Book  of 
Heroes,"  86,  128. 

Hel'en.  I.  Mother  of  Lancelot, 
219.  II.  In  medieval  literature, 
kidnaping  of,  304. 

Hel'e-nus.  Descendants  of  in 
Greece,  307. 

Hel'ge.  Son  of  Bele,  251;  refuses 
to  give  Ingeborg  to  Frithiof,  255  ; 
rejects  Sigurd  Ring,  255 ;  makes 
treaty  with  Sigurd  Ring,  256;  ac- 
cuses Frithiof  of  sacrilege,  257; 
stirs  up  tempest  against  Frithiof, 
258;  Angantyr  refuses  to  pay  trib- 
ute to,  261  ;  Frithiof  snatches  ring 
from  wife  of,  261 ;  pursues  Frithiof, 
262. 

H^'lie  de  Bor'ron,  234. 

Hel'i-go-land.  Rumor  of  Dietrich's 
valor  reaches,  1 1 5. 

Hel'kap-1'E.     See  Tanikappc. 

Hel'mi-gis.     Rosamund  and,  88. 

Hen'gist.  Driven  from  England, 
205  ;   Saxons  led  by,  208. 

Hen'nino.       Complaint    of    against 
Reynard,  38. 

Henry  L,  the  Fowler.  Hears 
accusation  against  Else,  202. 

Henry  III.  Emperor  of  Germany, 
287. 

Henry  VIII.     Lord  Berners  trans- 
lates   "  Huon    of   Bordeaux  "   for, 
163. 
He'o-ROT.       Hrothgar    builds,     10: 


326 


GLOSSARY  AMD    INDEX. 


Beowulf's     experiences      in,       13; 

Grendel's    limb    a    trophy    in,    15; 

Beowulf's  triumphant  return  to,  18. 
He' RAND.     See  Hermt. 
Her'bart.       Nephew    of    Dietrich, 

elopes  with  Hilde,  123. 
Her'brand.    Son  of  Berchther,  109 ; 

father     of    Hildebrand,     no;    tlae 

wide-traveled,  121. 
Her'cu-les,    Pii,lars    of.     Brutus 

passes,  308. 
Her'ka.     See  Helchc. 
Her'lind.     Maid  of  Oda,  90;  brings 

gifts  to  Oda,  91. 
Her'rat.     Wife    of   Dietrich,    126; 

death  of,  127. 
Hert'mt.      Wittich  a    prisoner    of, 

121  ;    Wildeber  visits,    121  ;    death 

of,  122. 
Her'wig.      King  of  Zealand,  fights 

with  Hettel,  28;  betrothed  to  Gu- 

drun,  28 ;    wars   of,    29 ;   comes  to 

Normandy  to  rescue"  Gudrun,  31; 

saves  Gudrun,  t,t,  ;  marries  Gudrun, 

34- 

Her-ze-loi'de.  Sigune  brought  up 
by,  1 88 ;  wife  of  Gamuret  and 
mother  of  Parzival,  188;  parts 
from  Parzival,  191  ;  Parzival  goes 
in  search  of,  192;  Parzival  hears  of 
death  of,  199. 

He'si-od.  Heroes  of  in  mediaeval 
literature,  303. 

Hesse.  Burgundian  army  passes 
through,  57. 

Het'tel.  Wooes  Hilde,  25,  26  ; 
marries  Hilde,  27;  dismisses  Gu- 
drun's  suitors,  28 ;  death  of,  29. 

Hild'burg.  I.  Hagen  finds,  23. 
n.  Companion  of  Gudrun,  30; 
meets  Ortwine,  31 ;  wooed  by 
Ortwine,  32  ;  marries  Ortwine,  34. 
HI.  Hugdietrich  wooes,  100 ;  se- 
cret marriage  of,  loi  ;  the  son  of, 
loi,  102;  banished  by  Sabene,  103. 

Hli/UE.  I.  In  the  f:dda,  22;  an 
Indian  princess,  23;  Hagen  mar- 
ries, 24;  daughter  of,  25.  II.  Suit- 
ors of,  25;  educates  Gudrun,  28; 
welcomes  Gudrun  home,  34.  III.  A 
giantess,  Dietrich's  encounter  with, 
III.  IV.  Daugliter  of  Artlnir, 
elopes  with  Ilerbart,  123. 


Hii/de-krand.  T.  Claims  body  £)f 
Riidiger  and  fights  Burgundians, 
83;  kills  Kriemhild,  84;  lament  of, 
85.  II.  Inherits  Garden,  109;  tutor 
of  Dietrich,  no;  fights  Grim  and 
Hilde,  III;  marriage  of,  112;  ad- 
venture of  with  Sigenot,  112,  113; 
adventure  of  with  magicians,  1 14; 
Wittich  meets,  115;  steals  Wittich's 
sword,  116;  Ilsan  brother  of,  117; 
Dietlieb  pawns  steed  of,  117;  first 
Rose  Garden  adventure  of,  1 18, 
119;  second  Rose  Garden  adven- 
ture of,  120;  campaign  of  in  Wil- 
kina  land,  121;  ransom  of,  124; 
returns  to  Garden,  126;  rejoins 
his  wife,  127. 

Hii/de-garde.  Story  of  Roland  and, 
150,  151. 

Hil'de-grim.     Giant's  helmet,   in. 

Hil-de-gun'de.  Adventures  of,  124, 
125. 

Hil'di.ng.  Foster  father  of  Frithiof 
and  Ingeborg,  251  ;  asks  Frithiof's 
aid  for  kings  of  Sogn,  255  ;  failure 
of  mission  of,  256  ;  announces  Inge- 
borg's  marriage  to  Frithiof,  261. 

HlXTZE.  Complains  of  Reynard,  37; 
accused  of  theft,  38 ;  adventures  of 
at  Malepartus,  41 ;  imprisonment 
of,  46. 

Hee'dra.  Capital  of  Denmark,  271 ; 
Thora  arrives  at,  272 ;  Krake  at, 
274;  Ivar's  brothers  return  to,  280. 

H5g'.\i.  I.  Pursues  Hilde,  22.  II. 
Same  as  Hagen,  53. 

Hol'ger  Dan'ske.     See  Ogier. 

Hol'land.     Ireland  in,  23. 

IIolm'gaxg.      Northern  duel,  247. 

Holy   Grail,    182-203;     origin   of 
legend   of,    182 ;    a   sacred  dish  or 
cup,  183  ;  Joseph  of  -\rimathea  su]i- 
ported  in  prison  by,  183  ;   at  Mar- 
seilles, 184;   at   Glastonbury,    185 
Titurcl  appointed  guardian  of,  185 
temple  of,    186;    descent   of,    187 
commands  that  Frimoutel  be  king, 
188;   commands  that  Amfortas  be 
king,  189  ;  ]:>romise  of,  189  ;  Parzival 
sees,  193;  Parzival's  quest  for,  195- 
200;  Kundrie  a  messenger  of,  196; 
Gawain's  quest  for,  196;  Trevrezent 
renounces,  199 ;  Parzival  finds,  199 ; 


CJ.OSSARV  .'1.V/>    /.\/)F..\\ 


327 


Par/.ival  uncovers,  200;  .\rtluii\ 
knights' quest  for,  201,  225;  Lohen- 
grin servant  of,  20 1,  203;  legend 
of,  204;  place  at  the  Round  Table 
for,  208,  218;  Lancelot  cured  liy, 
221 ;  appearance  of,  225  ;  I'arzival, 
Lancelot,  and  C-alahad  saw,  226; 
tales  of,  301. 

Holy  Land.  Renaud  goes  to,  161  ; 
knight  returns   from,  183. 

Hu'mkk.      Heroes  of,  303. 

Ho'rant.  Follower  of  Hettcl,  25  ; 
his  skill  as  minstrel,  26,  34. 

Hor'da-land.      Frithiof  in,  267. 

Horn'bo-gi.  Wittich  meets,  115; 
father  of  Amalung,   121. 

Horses.  Sqs.  Rispa,  Fa/h;  I'nllau- 
tif.  Bayard,  and  Babiefa. 

Hroth'gar.  Descent  of,  9  ;  hall  of, 
10 ;  reward  ofTered  by,  1 1  ;  Beowulf 
at  court  of,  13;  feast  of,  15;  grief 
of,  15;  Beowulf  takes  leave  of,  16. 

Hroud'i.AN-DI'S.  Same  as  Roland, 
130. 

Hug.  Lord  of  Dordogne,  slain  by 
Charlemagne,  152;  avenged  liy 
Aymon,  154. 

Hug-I)Ie'trich.  L  Son  of  Anzius, 
100;  wooes  and  marries  Hildburg, 
10 1  ;  intrusts  wife  and  child  to  care 
of  Sabene,  102  ;  suspicions  of,  103  ; 
death  and  will  of,  103.  II.  Son 
of  Wolfdietrich,  109;  father  of 
Dietmar,   110. 

Hugues.  King  of  Jerusalem,  139; 
Oliver  marries  daughter  of,  140. 

Hum'ber.     King  of  the  Huns,  309. 

Hun'ga-RY.  Etzel  king  of,  71  ; 
Gunther  starts  out  for,  75  ;  Kriem- 
hild's  purpose  in  coming  to,  82 ; 
fatal  ride  to,  85  ;  part  of  Pannonia, 
86;  Wildeber  in,  121;  Aynion's 
wars  in,  152. 

Huns.  King  of,  72,  94,  118,  121  ; 
Kriemhild  queen  of,  72  ;  power  of, 
72 ;  Burgundians  crowded  by,  79 : 
Kriemhild  brings  misery  upon,  84 ; 
gratitude  of  Helche,  queen  of  the, 
125 ;  Dietrich's  sojourn  with  the, 
126;   Ilumber  king  of  the,  309. 

Hun'thiof.  Son  of  Frithiof  and 
Ingeborg,  267. 

Hun'vor.     Swedish  princess,  247. 


IIl'i).\     111-     BoK-DKAl.x',      163-1S1  ; 

hero  of  poem,  163;  L'harleniagne's 
orders  to,  163;  visits  I'oi)e,  164; 
meets  Sherasmin,  165  ;  in  enchanted 
forest,  166;  Oberon's  gifts  to,  Ib8; 
at  Tourmont,  1(19;  adventures  with 
Angoulaffre,  169,  170;  adventure 
witli  Saracen,  170;  reaches  Bag- 
dad, 171  ;  adventures  at  Bagdad, 
171-174;  ()l)eron's  orders  to,  174; 
disobedience  of,  175;  on  desert  is- 
land, 175,  176;  in  Tunis,  177;  car- 
rietl  to  fairyland  by  Oberon,  179, 
181;  at  the  tournament,  179;  re- 
turns to  (juienne,  180;  other  ver- 
sions of  story  of,  180;  ancestor  of 
Capetian  race,  18 1. 

Hu'o-net.  Birth  and  disappearance 
of,  176;  restoration  of,  179. 

Hvit'serk.     Son  of  Ragnar,  274. 

Hygd.     Wife  of  Ilygelac,  18. 

Hy'ge-lac.  King  of  the  (Icates,  11  ; 
gives  Nageling  to  Beowulf,  12; 
wars  and  death  of,  18. 

Hyr-ca'M-A.     Babican  king  of,  171. 

Ice'i.and.  Story  of  Tristan  popular 
in,  234;   the  Iliad  in,  304. 

Il/l-AD.      Popularity  of  the,  304. 

Il/SAN.  Brother  of  llildebrand,  117, 
120;  rudeness  and  cruelty  of,  120, 
121. 

I.m'e-i.o'i.  King  of  Desert  Babylo- 
nia, 91 ;  a  captive,  92  ;  Rother  hears 
of  escape  of,  93. 

Ii\'i)i-A.  Hunvor  carried  ofT  to,  247  ; 
Alexander's  adventures  in,  306. 

Ln-kan'tks.  Of  Carrion,  295-298; 
of  Navarre,  297. 

In'ge-borg.  I.  Attendant  of  Hun- 
vor, 247.  II.  Transformed  into  a 
witch,  249;  Thorsten  saved  bv. 
250;  mother  of  Frithiof,  251.  III. 
Daughter  of  Bele,  and  playmate  of 
Frithiof,  251;  Frithiof  vows  to. 
marry,  252;  Frithiof  sues  for,  254; 
Sigurd  Ring  sues  for,  255;  meets 
Frithiof  in  temple,  256,  257;  Fri- 
thiof parts  with,  258;  married  to 
Sigurd  Ring,  261,  269;  Frithiof's 
longing  for,  264;  ?"rithiof  visits, 
265  ;  given  to  Frithiof  by  Sigurd 
Ring,    266;    Frithiof  wars  against 


328 


GLOSSANY  .IXD   TXDEX. 


brothers  of,  267 ;  marriage  of  Fri- 
thiof  and,  267. 

Lng'kl-heim.     Palace  at,  131. 

Ire'land.  I.  In  Holland,  23.  II. 
Merlin  brings  stones  from,  208 ; 
Ryance  king  of,  217;  Morold 
comes  from,  236 ;  Tristan  goes  to, 
237 ;  Tristan's  visits  to,  238 ;  vik- 
ing raids  in,  276. 

I'Ri.NG.     Killed  by  Hagen,  81. 

I'rish.  King  defeats  Mark,  237; 
attendants  carry  Morold's  remains 
to  Ireland,  237 ;  Tristan  at  court  of 
the,  238 ;  king,  butler  of,  239. 

Ir'min-sul.  Charlemagne  destroys 
the,  129. 

Irn'fried.  Attacks  the  Burgundi- 
ans,  81. 

Is'e-grim.  Complaint  of  against 
Reynard,  36 ;  and  the  fish,  37 ;  a 
victim  of  Reynard's  jokes,  42 ;  ac- 
cused by  Reynard,  44 ;  imprison- 
ment of,  46 ;  robbed  by  Reynard, 
48;  disloyalty  of,  51;  duel  with 
Reynard,  51  ;  death  of,  52. 

I 'sen-land.  Hagen  finds  princess 
of,  23. 

I-seult'.  I.  Sister  of  Morold,  cures 
of,  237 ;  Tristan  healed  by,  238. 
II.  Daughter  of  Iseult  I.,  Tristan 
teaches,  238 ;  hand  of  promised  to 
dragon  slayer,  238 ;  finds  and  re- 
stores Tristan,  239 ;  tries  to  kill 
Tristan,  240 ;  journey  of  to  Corn- 
wall, 241  ;  marries  Mark,  242  ;  love 
of  for  Tristan,  242  ;  oath  of,  243 ; 
Tristan  cannot  forget,  244 ;  carried 
to  Joyeuse  Garde,  244 ;  death  and 
burial  of,  245.  III.  With  the 
White  Hands,  243 ;  marries  Tris- 
tan, 244  ;  jealousy  of,  245. 

I-SOLDe'.      See  Iseult. 

Iss'land.  Brunhild  princess  of,  58 ; 
Gunther's  arrival  in,  59  ;  Nibelungs 
accompany  Siegfried  to,  61. 

I'SUNG.  Follows  Dietlieb,  118;  bear 
of,  121;  delivers  Wittich,  122. 

I-tai/ia\.  Version  of  Roland,  130, 
141  ;  cycle  of  romances,  302;  love 
of  the  marvelous,  302,  307. 

It'a-EY.  Alboin  conquers,  87  ;  Ort- 
nit  master  of,  94;  Amaling  land 
same  as,  121 ;  viking  raids  in,  276; 


settlements  in,  281 ;  Brutus  expelled 
from,  307. 

I-to'me.     Sister  of  Gawain,  198. 

I'v'AR.  Son  of  Ragnar,  274;  a  crip- 
ple, 275  ;  kills  Eystein's  magic  cow, 
276;  surrenders  to  Ella,  279;  takes 
up  abode  in  Lunduna  Burg,  280; 
power  of,  280. 

I-\VA-\ET'.  Arthur's  squire,  helps 
Parzival,  191. 

I'wo.  Prince  of  Tarasconia,  156; 
Renaud  marries  daughter  of,  156; 
treachery  of,  158;  Renaud  saves, 
159- 

Jack  the  Giant  Killer.  Origin  of 
tale  of,  308. 

Jam'bas.     Son  of  Ortgis,  114. 

James,  St.  Explains  vision  to  Char- 
lemagne, 140;  promises  help  to 
Christian  army,  287. 

Jarl  Her'rand.  Father  of  Thora, 
271. 

Jer'as-punt.  Virginal's  castle  of, 
114. 

Jer'i-cho.  Walls  of  Pamplona  like 
those  of,  140. 

Je-ru'sa-lem.  Ogier  besieges,  138; 
Godfrey  of  Bouillon  king  of,  139, 
161  ;  Hugues  king  of,  139;  Charle- 
magne's pilgrimage  to,  139  ;  Galyen 
returns  to,  140;  Renaud  offered 
crown  of,  161 ;  Vespasian's  com- 
mission to,  183. 

Jew.     The  sacrilegious,  300. 

Jews.  Persecute  Joseph  of  Arima- 
thea,  183;  lend  money  to  Cid,  293, 
294. 

John.  Son  of  Fierefiss,  and  founder 
of  Knights  Templars,  200 ;  Prester, 
201. 

Jo'kul.  Njorfe's  eldest  son,  takes 
Sogn,  249 ;  magic  arts  of,  250. 

Jo'seph  of  Ar-i-ma-the'a.  And  the 
Holy  Grail,  183;  institutes  the 
Round  Table,  184;  carries  Holy 
Grail  to  Glastonbury,  185  ;  Merlin's 
Round  Table  like  that  of,  208. 

Jo'si-ANE.  Daughter  of  Frimoutel, 
and  mother  of  Sigune,  188. 

JovKUSE  (zhwa-yez').  Sword  of 
Charlemagne,  137. 

JOYEUSE  Garde.    Guinevere  at,  220, 


GLOSS.IA'Y  .I.V/y    IX HEX. 


329 


229 ;     Lancelot     buried    at,     233 ; 

Iseult  at,  244. 
Ju'das.     Sin  of,  184. 
Judgment  of  God.    Reynard  appeals 

to   the,    51;   in    favor   of  Tliiedric, 

148;  Cid  apjieals  to  the,  288. 
Ju'u-us  C.IJ'SAK.    Father  of  Uberon, 

166,  210. 
Jutes.     See  Geates. 
Jut'land.     Alfsol  princess  of,  270. 

Kan'tart.      Son  of  Henning,  38. 

Kar'deiss.  Son  of  Parzival,  and 
king  of  Belripar,  201. 

Kay,  Sir.  Foster  brother  of  Arthur, 
210;  sends  Arthur  for  a  sword, 
215. 

Kling'sor.  Castle  of,  197;  captives 
of,  197;  Gawain's  adventures  with, 
198. 

KxiGHTS  OF  St.  John,  301. 

Kra'ke.  Beauty  and  wit  of,  273; 
wooed  by  Ragnar,  273;  becomes 
queen  of  Denmark,  274;  Danes 
disapprove  of,  274;  story  of,  274. 

Kriem'hild.  Same  as  Gudrun,  53; 
dream  of,  54;  Siegfried  goes  to 
woo,  55  ;  sees  strength  of  Siegfried, 
56 ;  meets  Siegfried  after  victory, 
57;  wooing  of,  58  ;  marriage  of,  62  ; 
goes  to  the  Nibelungen  land,  64 ; 
goes  to  Worms,  64;  t]uarrels  with 
Brunhild,  65  ;  anxiety  of,  66 ;  parts 
from  Siegfried,  67 ;  grief  of,  68 ; 
mourning  of,  69 ;  goes  to  Lorch, 
71 ;  wooed  by  Etzel,  71  ;  RUdiger's 
promise  to,  72,  83 ;  journey  of  to 
Gran,  73 ;  lures  Burgundians  into 
Hungary,  74;  quarrels  with  Ilagen, 
77 ;  Dietrich  defies,  78 ;  bribes 
Blodelin,  80;  urges  Huns  to  slay 
Hagen,  81;  sets  fire  to  hall,  82; 
Gunther  and  Hagen  captives  of,  84 ; 
kills  Gunther  and  Ilagcn,  84;  death 
of,  84;  Rose  Garden  of,  120;  Swan- 
hild  daughter  of,  123;  Etzel  mar- 
ries, 126. 

Kry'ant.     Son  of  Henning,  38. 

Kun'drie.  Curses  Parzival,  196; 
death  of,  200. 

Kun'hii.d.  Sister  of  Dietlieb,  kid- 
najied  by  Laurin,  1 18;  rescued  by 
Dietrich,     119;     delivers    Dietrich 


and  knights,  1 19;  marriage  and 
realm  of,  120. 

Kur'en-berg,  Von.  Supposed  author 
of  "Nibelungenlied,"  53. 

Kur've-NAI..  Retainer  of  Blanche- 
flem,  235  ;  joins  Tristan  in  Corn- 
wall, 23b  ;  accompanies  Tristan  to 
Ireland,  238;  goes  to  Brittany  for 
Iseult,   244. 

Ladv  of  riiK  Lakk.  Vivian  the, 
211;  lays  spell  upon  Merlin,  212; 
brings  sword  to  Arthur,  216; 
Lancelot  fostered  by,  219;  Arthur 
a  prisoner  of,  244. 

Lam 'BERT  LE  CoRT.  Author  of 
"  Alexandre  le  Grant,"  305. 

Lam  Go-K-ma-got'.  Same  as  Plym- 
outh, 309. 

Lam'pe.  Illtreated  by  Reynard,  37; 
psalm-singing  of,  38;  slain  at  Male- 
partus,  46  ;  head  of,  47  ;  Reynard 
confesses  murder  of,  48  ;  Reynard's 
excuses  for  murder  of,  49. 

Lan'ce-lot  du  Lac,  Sir.  Ogier 
joins,  138;  legend  of,  204;  hero 
of  several  poems,  219;  youth  of, 
219;  love  and  insanity  of,  220; 
rescues  Guinevere,  221,  226,  229; 
sees  Holy  Grail,  221,  226;  knights 
Sir  Gareth,  221 ;  and  Sir  Galahad, 
224;  vow  of,  225  ;  and  Elaine,  227- 
229  ;  Arthur's  anger  against,  230  ; 
visits  Guinevere,  233;  death  and 
burial  of,  233 ;  Tristan  like,  242 ; 
Iseult  at  castle  of,  244. 

Lan-go-har'di-an.  Cycle  of  ro- 
mances, 86-99;  nobles  reject  Hel- 
migis,  88  ;  scepter  given  to  Rother, 
88  ;  queen,  Oda  becomes,  93. 

Lan'go-bards.  Same  as  Langobar- 
dians,  settle  in  Pannonia,  86 ;  quar- 
rel between  Gejiidx-  and,  87. 

Lasp  SrrrER.  Holy  Grail  used  for 
the,  183. 

Latin.  Version  of  Reynard,  35; 
poem  of  Walther  von  Wasgenstein, 
124;  chrcnicle  attributed  to  Tur- 
pin,  129;  version  of  Roland,  130; 
version  of  Tristan,  234  ;  epics,  303  ; 
writers  and  Alexander,  305. 

Lau'rin.  Adventures  of  with  Diet- 
rich and  knights,  118- 120. 


330 


CI.OSSAA'V  A XI)  ixni'.x. 


La-VIN'i-A.    Niece  of,  motlierof  liru- 

tus,  307. 
La'waine,  Sir.     Brother  of  Elaine, 

227. 
Laz'a-rus,  St.     Rodrigo's  vision  of, 

286. 
Lear,  King.     Shakespeare's  tragedy 

of,  309. 
Leicester     (les'ter).     Founded    l)y 

King  Leir,  309. 
Leir,  King.     Founder  of  Leicester, 

309- 

Le-o'de-graunce.  King  of  Scot- 
land, Arthur  and,  217. 

Le-o-ge'ci-a.  Brutus  hears  oracle 
at,  308. 

Leon  (la-on').  Don  Alfonso  king 
of,  288 ;  Don  Garcia  buried  in, 
290. 

Le-pan'to.  Huon  and  Rezia  stop 
at,  174;  Sherasmin  parts  from 
Huon  at,  1 77. 

Lieb'gart.  Same  as  Sidrat,  97 ; 
magic  eggs  of,  98 ;  waits  for  return 
of  Ortnit,  99 ;  suitors  of,  99 ;  Wolf- 
dietrich's  compassion  for,  107 ; 
Wolfdietrich  saves  and  marries, 
108;  mother  of  Ilugdietrich,  109; 
Dietrich  marries,  127. 

Lil-ien-por'te.     Siege  of,  103. 

Loch'heim.  Nibelungen  hoard 
buried    at,    71. 

Lo'cRl-A.      Named  by  Locrine,  309. 

Lo-CRINe'.     Son  of  Brutus,  309. 

Lod'brok.      See  Ragnar. 

Lode'stone  Rock.  Ogier  wrecked 
on  the,  138. 

Lod-GER'da.  Ragnar  marries  and 
forsakes,  271. 

Lo'hen-grin.  Story  of  P^lse  and, 
201-203. 

Lo'ki.     See  Haloge. 

Lom'hards.  Same  as  Langobards, 
87;  Rother  complains  of  king  of, 
90;  Ortnit  king  of,  94;  Wolfdietrich 
rules,  108;  Charlemagne  subdues, 
129,    137. 

Lom'har-I)Y.  Oda  returns  to,  94; 
Sidrat  goes  to,  97 ;  Liebgart  to  se- 
lect king  of,  99;  Ortnit's  ancestors 
in,  100;  Wolfdietrich  starts  for, 
104;  Wolfdietrich  returns  to,  109; 
Didier  king  of,  136. 


Lon'don.  St.  Stephen's  Church  in, 
215 ;  Arthur  comes  to  with  Sir 
Hector,  215  ;  Guinevere's  journey 
to,  230 ;  founding  of,  280,  309. 

Lon'G'fei.-eow.  "  Tales  of  a  Way- 
side Inn  "  of,  136,  202. 

Lon-(}i'nus.     Rosamund  seeks,   88. 

Lorch.     Kriemhild's  sojourn  at,  71. 

Louis  the  Fat,  2S0. 

Lov'ei,,  Lord.     Story  of,  245. 

Luces  de  Gast.  Version  of  Tristan 
by,  234. 

Lu'ci-FER.     Fall  of,  182. 

LuD.     Descendant  of  Brutus,  309. 

Lu'de-gast.  King  of  Denmark, 
threatens  to  invade  Burgundy,  56. 

Lu'de-ger.  King  of  Saxons,  Gun- 
ther's  wars  with,  56,  66. 

Lud'wig.  King  of  Normandy, 
suitor  of  Gudrun,  28;  kills  Hettel, 
29 ;  tries  to  drown  Gudrun,  30 ; 
killed  by  Herwig,  ^li- 

Lu'na.  Vikings  besiege,  276;  Nor- 
mans' stratagem  to  enter  into,  277; 
Don  Garcia  a  prisoner  in,  290. 

LuN-nu'NA  Burg.  Same  as  London, 
280. 

Lym-Fiord.  Ragnar's  victory  at, 
271. 

Lyn-ette'.  Story  of  Gareth  and, 
222. 

Ly'o-NEL.     Cousin  of  Lancelot,  219. 

Ly-o-nesse'.  Arthur's  boyhood  spent 
in,  226 ;  Meliadus  lord  of,  234 ; 
Tristan  recovers,  236. 

Ma-bri-an'.  A  i/taiisoii  de  geste, 
152. 

Mac'e-don.  Alexander  king  of,  305  ; 
early  history  of,  305. 

Ma-ciio-reli/.  Father  of  Sidrat,  95  ; 
Alberich  carries  challenge  to,  97 : 
sends  dragon  eggs  to  Liebgart,  98. 

Malagigi  (mal-a-je'je).  The  necro- 
mancer, same  as  Malagis,  152;  and 
Bayard,  153 ;  rescues  Aymon,  154; 
joins  Renaud,  157;  warns  Renaud 
of  Richard's  peril,  159;  strategem 
and  escape  of,  160. 

Mai.'a-gis.      See  A/a/agigi. 

Mai.'k-bron.  Servant  of  Oberon, 
170,  180. 

Ma-i.e-par'tus.       Brown    the     bear 


CLOSSAKY  AND  INDEX. 


331 


fight 


readies,  39  ;   IliiUze  at,  41 ;   Bellyn 

and  Lampe  accompany  Reynard  to, 

46;  Grimbart  at,  47. 
Mal'O-RY.      Old    legends    used    by, 

204,  219. 
Man'tu-A.      Ernienrich  lakes,  123. 
Map,  Waltkr.     Works  of,  182,  204, 

219. 
Makk.     King  of  Cornwall,  Meliadus 

visits,   235 ;   Tristan   and    Kurvenal 

visit,  236 ;  Tristan  jiraises  Iseult  to, 

238;     Tristan    emissary    of,    240; 

Iseult    marries,    242 ;     indifference 

of,  242;   illtreats  Iseult,  244;  gives 

orders     for  burial    of    Tristan    and 

Iseult,  245. 
Mar-skilles'.       Joseph    of    Arima- 

thea  at,  184. 
Marsiglio    (mar-sel'yo).        Saracen 

king,   144;   killed  by  Roland,  145. 
Mar-SIL'i-i:s.      See  Marsiglio. 
Mar'tIxV.     I.    Parson's  son,  41.   II. 

Ape  met  by  Reynard,  49. 
Mar'tin    Gon-za'lez.     Cid's 

with,  286. 
Ma'ry.     Queen  of  England,  marries 

Philip  of  Spain,  232. 
Mat'k-lan.     Hilde  goes  to  with  llet- 

tel,  27 ;  Herwig  comes  to,  28  ;  Hart- 

niut  comes  to,  29. 
Mau'gis.     a   chanson   de  gestc,    152. 
Max-i-mii/i-an     I.         Emperor     of 

Germany,  22. 
Mayence  (ma-yens').  Charlemagne's 

wife  buried  at,  131. 
Me-de'a.     In    mediseval    literature, 

304- 

Me-le'a-gans 

of,  221. 

Me-li'a-dus. 
wars  against 
Blanchefleur 
Mark,  242. 

Meran  (ma'ran).  P.erchther  duke 
of,  89 ;  Wolfdietrich  educated  at, 
103;   Hildburg  at,  103. 

Mer'ki-.n'au.     Accuses  Reynard,  47. 

Mer'lin.  Round  Table  to  be  con- 
structed by,  184;  legend  of,  204; 
real  and  mythical,  205  ;  birth  and 
infancy  of,  206 ;  the  prophecies  of, 
206,  207,  208,  210,  231;  builds 
Stonehenge  and  castle  at  Carducl, 


Guinevere  a  captive 

I.    Lord  of  Lyonesse, 

Morgan,  234 ;   marries 

,    235.      II.    Squire    of 


208;  changes  Uther  into  form  of 
Gorlois,  209 ;  .\rthur  when  an  in- 
fant confided  to,  210,  214;  magic 
arts  of,  211;  and  Vivian,  21 1 -213  ; 
reveals  .\rthur's  parentage,  215; 
adviser  of  Arthur,  216,  217;  frames 
laws  for  knights  of  Round  Table, 
218. 

Mer-()-vin'gi-a.\.  Rulers  of  the 
Franks,  36. 

Meir'vin.      a  chanson  de  gestc,  139. 

MinsuMMER-Ni<;HT'.s  Dream,  163. 

Mll/.W.  Invested  by  imperial  army, 
123. 

Mil. 'on.  P'ather  ot  Roland,  133, 
141 ;  quest  of  for  jewel,  134,  135. 

MiM'UNG.  Sword  of  Wittich,  115; 
Wittich  loses,  and  Hildebrand  re- 
stores, 116;  Heime  steals,  121; 
Wittich  recovers,  122. 

Mo-ham',med.     F"erracute  calls  upon, 

143- 

Mon-tau-ban'.  Renaud  builds  for- 
tress at,  156;  siege  of,  156;  Renaud 
escapes  to,  157;  Charlemagne  again 
besieges,  1 59  ;  Charlemagne  a  cap- 
tive in,  160;  .Xymon's  sons  escajie 
from,  160;  Renaud  returns  to,  161. 

Montfaucon  (mon-fo-kon').  Ad- 
venture of  Renaud  and  Bayard  at, 

159- 
Mo.nt'gi-ave,  Guer'in  de.     hchan- 

son  de  gestc,  139. 

MoNT-SAi.'vATCH.  Holy  Grail  on, 
185 ;  Frimoutel  weary  of  life  on, 
189;  Parzival's  first  visit  to,  193; 
Gawain  on  the  way  to,  197  ;  Parzi- 
val's second  visit  to,  199;  Parzival 
king  on,  200;  Lohengrin's  return 
to,  201 ;   Else  goes  to,  203. 

Moor.     Fierefiss  a,  200. 

Moor'isii.  Kings  defeated  by  Cid, 
2S2 ;  kings  send  tribute  to  Cid, 
287;  kings  warn  Cid  of  danger, 
287. 

Moor'i.am).  Kingdom  of  Siegfried, 
28. 

Moors.  Enmity  between  Christians 
and,  154;  Saforet  king  of,  156; 
and  Holy  Grail,  182;  Rodrigo 
meets  the,  283,  285,  287,  289,  294, 
206 ;  Tizona  won  from  the,  285 ; 
Don  Alfonso  joins,    290;    Don  Al- 


^3^ 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


fonso  wars  against,  293  ;  at  Valencia, 
294,  296,  298,  300;  flee  at  sight  of 
Cid,  299. 

Mor'dred.  Related  to  Arthur,  230; 
treachery  of,  230;   death  of,  231. 

Mor'gan.     I.    Meliadus  wars  against 
234;     kills    Meliadus,    235;    killed 
by  Tristan,  236.      II.    Same  as  Fata 
Morgana,  95. 

Mor-ga'xa.  Predictions  of,  135 ; 
Ogier  meets,  138;  mother  of  Meur- 
vin,  139;  mother  of  Oberon,  166; 
steals  Arthur's  scabbard,  231  ;  con- 
veys Arthur  to  Avalon,  232. 

Mo-ROC'co.      Bucar  king  of,  298. 

Mo'rold.  Comes  to  Cornwall  to 
claim  tribute,  236;  challenged  and 
slain  by  Tristan,  237;  Iseult  dis- 
covers murderer  of,  240. 

MoRTE  d'Arthur.     By  Malory,  219. 

Moses.     A  hypocrite,  184. 

Mun-ta-bure'.  In  mirage,  95  ;  Ortnit 
besieges,  97. 

Na'ge-ling.     Sword  of  Beowulf,  12. 
Na'gel-ring.     Sword    of    Dietrich, 
III,  112,  117. 

Naismes  de  Baviere  (nam  de  bav- 

e-er').    "  Nestor  of  the  Carolingian 

legends,"  144. 
Nantes.     Arthur's  court  at,  191. 
Na-varre'.     Charlemagne's  wars  in, 

141,    143;    Don    Sancho    king    of, 

289;   Infantes  of,  297. 
Nen'ni-us.      Writes  romances,   204, 

307- 
Nes'tor.     Naismes  de  Baviere  like, 

144. 

Neth'er-lands.  Reynard  in  the, 
35  ;   kingdom  of  the,  54. 

New  Troy.     Same  as  London,  309. 

Ni'be-lung-en.  Hoard,  55,  63,  70, 
77,  127;  land,  55,  61,  64. 

Ni'be-lung-e.\-lied,  53-85;  Gu- 
drun  alluded  to  in,  22 ;  Germany's 
greatest  epic,  53 ;  end  of,  85  ;  in- 
cidents in,  126,  242. 

Ni'be-lungs.  Treasure  of,  53;  fol- 
lowers of  Siegfried,  61  ;  Brunhild 
escorted  by,  62 ;  guard  Siegfried's 
son,  64;  mourning  and  wrath  of, 
69;  Burgundians  called,  75;  fall  of, 
126. 


Nic-o-de'mi's.     Slain  by  Jews,  183. 

Njor'fe.  King  of  Uplands,  friend  of 
Viking  and  Halfdan,  248;  sons  of 
attack  Viking's  sons,  249. 

No'bel.  King  of  the  animals,  36; 
anger  of  against  Reynard,  37 ; 
Brown  returns  to,  41 ;  Reynard  be- 
fore, 43 ;  liears  of  treasure,  45  ; 
pardons  Reynard,  46;  discovers 
Lampe's  murder,  47. 

Non'nen-worth.  Hildegarde  re- 
tires to  convent  of,  150;  Roland 
lingers  near,  151. 

Nor'man-dv.  Ludwig  king  of,  28; 
Gudrun  taken  to,  29 ;  Ortwine 
comes  to,  32 ;  RoUo  settles  in,  280. 

Nor'mans.  Conquer  England,  9; 
pursued  by  Hegelings,  29 ;  and 
Hegelings,  32;  invade  Paris,  138; 
strategy  of,  277;  defeated  by  Ella, 
279  ;   found  Lunduna  Burg,  280. 

Norns.      Frithiof's  vision  of,  267. 

Norse.  Origin  of  Gudrun,  22;  lit- 
erary treasures,  246. 

Norse'mex.  Tristan  and  the,  235, 
236. 

North.  Literary  treasures  of,  246 ; 
gods  and  heroes  of,  246;  Thorsten 
owner  of  great  treasures  of,  251. 

North  Cape.  Discovered  by  Othere, 
18. 

North-gal'lis.     Queen  of,  232. 

North'men.     Kidnap  Tristan,  235. 

Nor-thum'ber-land.  Ella  king  of, 
278. 

Nor'way.  Wilkina  land  is,  121 ; 
ships  from,  235 ;  Halogaland  in, 
246 ;  Uplands  in,  248 ;  Ringric 
in,  255;   Ragnar's  sojourn  in,  271. 

Nu'dung.  Son  of  Riidiger,  death  of, 
126. 

O'be-ron.  I.  Poem  by  Wieland,  and 
opera  by  Weber,  163.  II.  King 
of  fairies,  163;  Huon  sees,  166; 
magic  horn  of,  167;  gives  horn 
and  goblet  to  Huon,  168;  ring  of, 
169;  shelters  Huon,  and  sends 
Malebron  to  his  aid,  170;  Rezia's 
vision  of,  171;  promises  aid  to 
Huon  and  Rezia,  172;  comes  to 
Iluon's  aid,  173;  warns  Oberon, 
174;   Huon  disobeys,  175;  Titania 


GLOSSARY  .lA'D   LVDI-.X. 


.Ui 


and,  175,  176,  179;  Huon  rescued 
by,  178,  181;  brings  Huon  to 
fairyland,  179,  iSi  ;  Julius  Caesar 
father  of,  210. 

O'da.  Daughter  of  Constantine,  89 ; 
Rother  wooes  and  wins,  89  -  93 ; 
kidnaped  by  magician,  93 ;  Rother 
rescues,  94;  Ilelche  daughter  of, 
94. 

O'dkn-wald.  Death  of  Siegfried  in 
the,  67,  71. 

0-DI'li-A.      Wife  of  Dietniar,  no. 

O'din.  Ilrothgar  a  descendant  of, 
9;  Skeaf  sent  by,  10;  Loki  comes 
north  with,  24b  ;  Sigurd  Ring  dedi- 
cates himself  to,  266 ;  ancestor  of 
Danish  kings,  269. 

Of'tek-I)I.\g-en,  Vox.  Supposed 
author  of  "  Nilielungenlied,"  53; 
"  Heldenbuch  "  partly  compiled 
from,  86. 

O'gier  le  Dan'ois.  a  chatison  de 
geste,  135. 

O'gier  the  Dank.  A  paladin  of 
Charlemagne,  129;  a  hostage,  135; 
marries  Bellissande,  136;  admiration 
of  Danes  for,  136;  quarrels  with 
Charlemagne,  136;  terror  and  es- 
cape of,  137;  made  king  of  Eng- 
land, 138;  shipwreck  of,  138;  magic 
crown  and  ring  of,  138  ;  son  of,  139  ; 
boast  of,  140;  defeated  by  Ferra- 
cute,  142 ;  death  of,  148. 

Old  Troy.  Sigeminne  queen  of, 
105 ;  Wolfdietrich  and  Sigeminne 
return  to,  106. 

Ol'ger.     See  Ogier. 

Ol/l-VANT.  Horn  of  Roland,  139; 
blasts  on,  145,  146. 

Ol/l-VER.  Paladin  of  Charlemagne, 
129;  champion  of  Duke  of  Genoa, 
139;  fights  with  Roland,  139,  149; 
boast  of,  140;  son  of,  140;  advises 
Roland  to  blow  his  horn,  145  ;  death 
of,  147,  148;  sister  of,  149;  and 
Malagigi,  160. 

Or-gueil-leuse',  Duchess.  Adven- 
ture of  Gawain  and,  197 ;  Gawain 
marries,  198. 

Or'i-lus,  Lord.  Parzival's  adven- 
ture with  wife  of,  191 ;  Parzival  de- 
feats, 196. 

Ork'ney    Islands.      Conquest    of, 


250 ;  Frithiof  sent  to,  258 ;  Frithiof 
and  Bjorn  in,  259. 

Or-lan'do  Fu-ri-o'so,  211,  302. 

Or-lan'do  In-na-mo-ra'K),  302. 

Ort'gis.  a  magician,  holds  Vir- 
ginal a  captive,  113  ;  Jambas  son  of, 
114. 

tlKi'i.iKi!.  Son  of  Kricmhild,  73; 
killed  by  Hagen,  80. 

Ort'mt.  I.  Poem  of  the  ninth  cen- 
tury, 86.  II.  Lombardian  king, 
vision  of,  94 ;  vow  of,  95  ;  adventure 
of  with  Alberich,  96 ;  adventures 
and  marriage  of,  97 ;  goes  to  kill 
dragons,  98;  death  of,  99;  ances- 
tors of  rule  over  Lombardy,  loo; 
Wolfdietrich  wants  aid  of,  104; 
Wolfdietrich  vows  to  avenge,  107  ; 
ring  of,  108;  widow  of,  127. 

Or'trux.  Sister  of  Hartmut,  30; 
saved  by  Gudrun,  t,t,  ;  marries  Sieg- 
fried, 34. 

Ort'wine.  I.  Son  of  Hettel  and 
Hilde,  27;  comes  to  rescue  Gudrun, 
31;  wooes  Hildburg,  32;  marries 
Ilildburg,  34.  II.  Vassal  of  Gun- 
ther,  56;  goes  to  Hungary,  75.  III. 
Son  of  Helche,  125. 

O-san'trix.  Etzel  wars  against,  12 1 ; 
Hertnit  brother  of,  12 1. 

Os'borx.      See  Asprian. 

Os'tro-goths.  Defeated  by  Alboin, 
87. 

O'there.  Discoverer  of  North  Cape, 
sons  of,  18. 

Ot'nit,     See  Ortnit. 

Ot'u-EL,  Sir.     Story  of,  143. 

Ox'ford.  Walter  Map,  Archdeacon 
of,  182. 

Pad'alwk.  Same  as  Padua,  Die- 
trich takes,  126. 

PAD'r-.\.     See  radainve. 

Pal'mer-ins.     Cycle  of,  302. 

Pam-plo'na.     Siege  of,  140,  141. 

Pa\-dra'sus.  King  of  Greece, 
defeated  by  Brutus,  308. 

Pan-no' xi-a.  Gepidiv;  and  Lom- 
bards in,  86. 

Papillon  (pa-pe-yon').  The  magic 
horse,  138. 

Par'is.  I.  Judgment  of.  si;  picture 
of  in  act  of  kidnaping  Helen,  304. 


334 


GLOSSARY  AXD   INDEX. 


II.  Invasion  of,  138;  news  of 
Roland's  death  brought  to,  149 ; 
Renaud's  journey  to,  157;  Malagigi 
in,  158;  Renaud's  body  to  be 
brought  to,  162;  Huon  in,  163,  179; 
siege  of,  180. 

Par-me'm-a.     Meliadus  lord  of,  234. 

Par'zi-\'al.  I.  Poem  of,  182.  II. 
Birth  of,  188;  youth  of,  189;  starts 
out  into  the  world,  190;  adventures 
of  on  the  way  to  Nantes,  191  ;  wins 
armor,  192 ;  visits  Gurnemanz  and 
Belripar,  and  marries  Conduira- 
mour,  192;  visits  Montsalvatch,  193, 
199 ;  seeks  Holy  Grail,  195 ; 
knighted  by  Arthur,  196 ;  Gawain 
seeks,  196;  fights  Gawain,  198;  at 
the  hermit's,  199;  meets  Fierefiss, 
199;  made  king  of  Holy  Grail, 
200;  children  of,  201;  Lohengrin 
son  of,  203 ;    sees  Holy  Grail,  226. 

Pas'sac.  Kriemhild's  arrival  at,  73  ; 
Burgundians  at,  76 ;  funeral  mass 
at,  85. 

Pel'li-nore,  Sir.     Arthur  and,  216. 

Pen-drag'on.  Son  of  Constans, 
205  ;  war  of  Britons  under,  208. 

Pkn'te-cost.  Arthur's  feast  at,  217, 
224. 

Pep'in.     Charlemagne  son  of,  129. 

Per-i-de'us.  a  giant,  kills  Alboin, 
88. 

Per'si-a.  Sultan  of,  298;  Alexander's 
conquest  of,  306. 

Pe'ter,  St.     Cid's  vision  of,  298. 

Phil'ii'.  I.  Of  Spain,  oath  of  in 
favor  of  Arthur,  232.  II.  Of  Mace- 
don,  death  of,  305. 

Pi-az'za  of  St.  Mark's.  Stone  lion 
on  the,  281. 

Pier-le-pont'.  Castle  of  Aymon, 
154;  Aymon's  sons  leave,  156; 
Cliarlemagne  comes  to,  157. 

Pil'grim.  Bishop  of  Passau,  wel- 
comes Kriemhild,  73;  Burgun- 
dians visit,  76  ;  mass  for  the  dead 
by,  85. 

Pi.n'a-hki..  Champion  of  Ganelon, 
148. 

Plv.m'dU'i  H.  Same  as  Lam  (joe- 
magot,  309. 

Po'land,  125. 

Pol-y-ol'bi-on.    By  Drayton,  310. 


Pon'ce  de  Le-on'.     Quest  of,  306. 

Pope.  Asks  aid  of  Charlemagne, 
129;  Huon  and  the,  164,  174,  175, 
180;  reconciles  Arthur  and  Lance- 
lot, 229  ;  emperor  of  Germany  com- 
plains to,  287  ;  and  Ferdinand,  288  ; 
and  Cid,  288,  289. 

Por'tu-gal.  Hildburg  a  princess 
of,  23. 

Po'rus.  Alexander's  fight  with, 
306. 

Pres'ter  John.  Holy  Grail  in- 
trusted to,  201. 

Pri'am.     Descendants  of,  307. 

Pyr'e-nees.   Defeat  in  the,  130,  144 
Aymon  in  the,  154. 

Ra'bex.  Same  as  Ravenna,  taken 
by  imperial  army,  123;  battle  of, 
126. 

Rag'nar  Lod'brok.  269-281 ;  saga 
of,  269 ;  successor  of  Sigurd  Ring 
when  only  fifteen,  270;  marries 
Lodgerda,  271  ;  marrres  Thora, 
272  ;  sons  of,  272,  274,  275,  276, 
279;  and  Krake,  273-275;  battles 
of,  277;  and  Ella,  278;  death  of, 
278. 

Ra-mi'ro,  Don".  Quarrel  of  with 
Ferdinand,  286 ;  wars  against  Don 
Sancho,  289. 

R.\nd'wer.  Son  of  Ermenrich,  death 
of,  123. 

Ra-oul'  de  Beau-vais'.  Metrical 
version  of  story  of  Tristan  attrib- 
uted to,  234. 

Rauch-El'se.  The  witch,  Wolfdie- 
trich  meets,  104 ;  transformation  of, 

Ra-ven'na.  Longinus  intrenched  in, 
88;  same  as  Raben,  123. 

Re-deem'er.     Blood  of  the,  183. 

Red  Knight.  Parzival  and  the, 
191,  192. 

Red  Sea.     Huon  at  the,  165,  170. 

Rei'ne-ke  Fuchs.  Epic  of,  35 ; 
Goethe's  poem  of,  36. 

Rei'nold.     See  Renaud. 

Re-naud'  de  Mox-tau-ban'.  Pala- 
din of  Charlemagne,  129;  defeated 
by  Ferracute,  142 ;  body  of,  148 ; 
son  of  Aymon,  154;  receives  Bayard 
and  Flambergc,    155;    prowess  of, 


CJ.OSS.IKY  .LVD   /XDEX. 


335 


155;  avenges  Alarti  ami  llees,  156; 
marries  Clarissa,  and  builds  Mont- 
auban,  156;  goes  to  rescue  his 
brothers,  157;  loses  and  recovers 
Bayard,  157,  158;  betrayed  by 
Iwo,  158;  saves  Two,  159;  and 
Roland,  159;  on  Montfaucon,  159; 
sacrifices  Bayard,  161 ;  sets  out  for 
Holy  Land,  161  ;   death  of,  162. 

RK-r.vxsF/  DE  JoiK.  Daughter  of 
Frimoutel,  188;  jeweled  garment 
sent  by,  193 ;  bears  Holy  Chail, 
193,  199;    marriage  of,  200,  201. 

Reussen  (rois'sen).  Ylyas  prince  ol 
the,  94 ;  Waldemar  king  of,  125. 

Rey'nari)  the  Fox,  35-52;  epic  of,  j 
302  ;   importance  of  story  of,  303. 

Ri.'/i-A.      Princess,    dream    of,    171;' 
bridal   array  of,    172;   escapes  with  j 
Huon,    173;    embarks  at  Ascalon, 
174;   conversion   and   marriage   of, 
175;   Amanda  same  as,  175. 

Rhine.  Franks  cross,  35;  Xanten 
on,  54,  64 ;  Siegfried  rides  down 
along,  55;  Gunther's  journey  on,  | 
59,  61 ;  Nibelungen  hoard  in,  71, 
77  ;  Worms  on,  120  ;  Charlemagne 
dwells  near,  129,  130;  Roland's 
name  connected  with,  150;  Non- 
nenwcirth  in,  151  ;  Renaud's  body 
cast  in,  162. 

Rhon,  Von  der.  Edited"  Helden- 
buch,"  86. 

Rhone.     Island  in  the,  scene  of  duel, 

139.  149- 
Rhym'ek.     Thomas    of    Ercildoune 

the,  234. 
Rich'arI).      Son     of    Aymon,     154; 

prisoner  of  Roland,  159. 
Ri-CHou'de.      I.      Wife    of    Titurel, 

188.    II.    Daughter  of  Titurel,  18S. 
Rim'stei.n.      Revolt    and    defeat   of, 

122. 

Rl-NAI.'l)0     DE     TrEH-1-ZoN'1)K.         A 

chanson  de  geste,  152. 
Ring.     Son  of  Viking,  248. 
Ring'ric.       Sigurd     Ring   king   of, 

255;    Frithiof  in,  267. 
Ris'PA.      Horse  of  Heime,  115. 
Ri-va-lin'.     See  MeliadHs. 
Rob'ert  DE  Bor'rox.     Works    of, 

182,  204,  205,  219,  234. 
Rob'ert   ok   Sic'i-ly,    King.       In 


Longfellow's  "  Tales  of  a  Wayside 
Inn,"  302. 

Rod-ri'go  Di'az.     See  Cid. 

Ro'gen-wai.d.  Son  of  Ragnar,  274; 
death  of,  276. 

Rog'ek.      See  J/ivt/igur. 

Rocj'ers.  Translator  of  "  Reineke 
Fuchs,"  36. 

RoHANU  (ro'an).     See  A'lai'cnal. 

Ro'land.  Paladin  of  Charlemagne, 
129;  birth  and  childhood  of,  133; 
lights  knight  of  tlie  Ardennes,  134, 
135;  knighted,  135;  duel  with  Oli- 
ver, 139;  horn  of,  139,  145,  146; 
character  of,  14 1 ;  combat  with  Fer- 
racute,  142 ;  combat  with  Otuel, 
143;  at  battle  of  Roncesvalles,  144; 
kills  Veillantif,  145  ;  breaks  Duran- 
dana,  146;  death  of,  147;  squire 
of,  148;  betrothed  to  Aude,  149; 
bcthrothed  to  Hildegarde,  150; 
death  and  burial  of,  15 1  ;  treats 
with  Aymon,  154;  and  Renaud, 
159;  Renaud  intrusts  his  family  to, 
161 ;  Italian  cycle  treats  of,  302. 

Ro'land,  Chan'son  de,  130. 

Ro'land  Rise.     See  Meliadus. 

Ro'l.'VNDS-ECK.      Retreat  of  Roland, 

151- 

Rolf  Gang'er.    Same  as  Rollo,  280. 

Roi/i.o.  Famous  giant,  independence 
of,  280. 

Rom'a-BURG.  Wolfdietrich  goes  to, 
109;  Dietrich  visits,  117;  Dietrich 
crowned  at,  127;  threatened  inva- 
sion of,  277. 

Ro-.mance'  Literature.  General 
survey  of,  301-310. 

Roman  DE  Troie  (ro-mon'  de  trwa). 
Popularity  of,  304. 

Ro'mans.  And  Jews,  183;  claim 
.'I'meas,    307;    Britain   invaded  by, 

309- 
Rom e.     Martin  the  ape  on  his  way  to, 

49;  same  as  Romr.burg,  109,  1 17, 
127,  277;  Charlemagne  crowned 
at,  155;  Huon  at,  164,  174,  180; 
Sherasmin  at,  177;  Merlin  goes  to, 
210;  Don  Sancho  visits,  288;  early 
history  of,  304 ;  Alexander  conquers, 
306. 
Ron  C  E s  V .\ L L E s  (ron-ces-vril'yes) . 
Battle  of,  129,  140,  144-147,  150. 


33^ 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


Ros'a-mund.  Wife  of  Alboin,  87; 
rebellion  and  death  of,  88. 

Rose  Garden.  I.  Laurin's,  118, 
120.      II.    Kriemhild's,  120. 

Ro'sEN.  Sword  of  Ortnit,  96,  98; 
Wolfdietrich  finds,  108. 

Rot'her.  King  of  Lombardy,  88  ; 
wooing  of,  89-91  ;  captures  Imelot, 
92  ;  kidnaps  Oda,  92  ;  second  jour- 
ney to  Constantinople,  93  ;  secures 
his  wife,  94;  accompanied  by 
Berchther,  lOO. 

Rou-me'li-a.       Wolfdietrich's     ride 

I 

through,  104. 

Round  Table.  Knights  tell  Parzi- 
val  of,  190;  Parzival  admitted  to 
the,  196,  198;  knights  of,  200,  224, 
225;  legend  of,  204;  Merlin  estab- 
lishes, 208;  Arthur  receives,  217; 
at  Camelot,  218 ;  Lancelot  the  prin- 
cipal knight  of,  219,  220;  Gareth 
admitted  to,  222 ;  Geraint  one  of 
knights  of,  222  ;  feast  at,  225 ;  Sir 
Bedivere  a  knight  of,  231. 

Ru'al.      See  Kmvenal. 

RtJCK'E-NAU,  Frau,  50,  51. 

RiJ'Dl-GER.  Sues  for  Kriemhild,  71, 
72  ;  oath  of,  72,  82  ;  castle  of,  73  ; 
warns  Burgundians,  76;  entertains 
Burgundians,  77;  refrains  from 
tournament,  79 ;  safe-conduct 
granted  to,  81 ;  forced  to  fight,  83  ; 
death  of,  83;  at  Rose  Garden  on 
Rhine,  120;  saves  Dietrich,  125; 
son  of,  126. 

Ru'molt.     Squire    of  Gunther,    75. 

Runes.  Magic  letters  of  the  North, 
276. 

Ru-ot'ze.  Giantess  who  hatches 
magic  eggs,  98. 

Rus'siA.     A  part  of  Reussen,  1 25. 

Rus-Ti'ci-EN  de  Pise,  234. 

RuY  Di'az.     See  Cid. 

Ry'ance.  King  of  Ireland,  last  bat- 
tle and  death  of,  217. 

Sa-BENE'.  Guardian  of  Hildburg, 
102;  machinations  of,  103  ;  besieges 
Lilienporte,  104  ;  defeated  and  slain, 
108. 

Sa-bri'na.    Drowned  in  Severn,  309. 

Sa-fo-ret'.  Aymon's  sons  serve 
and  kill,  156. 


Saint  0-mer'.     Ogier  a  prisoner  at, 

136. 
Saints' BUR-Y,  204. 
Salisbury    (sawlz'ber-i).       Fortress 

on,  205,  207. 
Sam'son.     Father  of  Dietmar,  no. 
San'cho,  Don.    King  of  Castile,  Cid 

serves,  288 ;  a  prisoner,  289 ;  freed 

by  Cid,  290 ;  robs  his  sisters,  290 ; 

banishes  and  recalls  Cid,  291 ;  death 

of,  291. 
San'gre-al.     Same  as   Holy  Grail, 

201. 
San  Pe'dro  de  Car-den' a.     Given 

to  Cid,  285  ;  Cid  buried  at,  300. 
San-ti-a'go  de  Com-pos-te'la,  140, 

285. 
Sar'a-cen.    Huon's  encounters  with, 

172. 
Sar'a-cens.     Charlemagne    defeats, 

129,  140,   141,   144.   147.  14^;    de- 
vice of,  143;  Roland  and,  I45  ;  Sher- 

asmin   escapes   from,    165;   Titurel 

wars  against,  185. 
Sar-a-gos'sa.      Marsiglio    in,    144; 

Cid  besieges,  289. 
Sav'ior.     Dish  used  by,  183. 
Sax'ons.       Liideger  king  of,  56;  led 

by     Hengist,    208 ;    Arthur     wars 

against,  217- 
Sax' o- NY.     Burgundian  army  enters, 

57- 
Scan-di-na'vi-a.     Iliad  m,  304. 

Scan-di-NA'vi-AN.  Raids  and  settle- 
ments, 280;  cycle,  301,  302. 

Scot' land.  Arthur's  name  in,  214; 
Leodegraunce  king  of,  217;  same 
as  Albania,  309. 

Scratch-foot.     Death  and  epitaph 

of,  39-  ,    .         ,, 

Seine.       Bayard    drowned    m,    loi  ; 

Renaud  casts  Flamberge  in,  161. 
Sen'lis,  Countess  of,  138. 
Sev'ern.    Named  after  Sabrina,  309. 
Shakes'peare,  163,  305,  309,  3IO- 
Shar-fe-NEB'be.      Killed    by    Rey- 
nard, 47. 
Sher-as-min'.     Same  as  Gerasmes, 
Huon      finds,     165;     accompanies 
Huon  into  forest,  166;  01)eron  dis- 
pleased   with,     167;     forgiven    by 
Oberon,  168;  journeys  to  Bagdad, 
171;     helps    Huon    to    elope  with 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


337 


Rezia,  173;  journeys  to  France, 
174;  quest  of,  177;  in  fairyland, 
179;  duel  of,  180;  casket  stolen 
from,  180. 

Si'bich.  Wife  of,  122 ;  kills  Ermen- 
rich,  126;  death  of,  127. 

Sic'-ILY.     Part  of  Ortnit's  realm,  94. 

Sid'rat.  Vision  of,  95;  elopes  with 
Ornit,  97. 

Sie'gk-lind.  I.  Mother  of  Sieg- 
fried, 54;  death  of,  64.  II.  A 
swan  maiden  who  prophesies  to  Ha- 

gen,  75- 

Siege  Per'il-ous.  Vacant  place  at 
Round  Table  called,  184;  Parzival 
in  the,  196;  Merlin  in  the,  213; 
the  empty,  218;  Galahad  in  the, 
224. 

Sieg'fried.  I.  King  of  Moorland, 
suitor  of  Gudrun,  28 ;  invades  Zea- 
land, 28;  joins  Hettel  and  Herwig, 
29;  marriage  of,  34.  II.  Same  as 
Sigurd,  53  ;  parentage  and  birth  of, 
54;  goes  to  Worms,  55;  prowess 
of,  56,  57;  wooes  Kriemhild,  58; 
with  Gunther  in  Issland,  58-61 ; 
Nibelung  warriors  of,  61  ;  marriage 
of,  62  ;  conquers  Brunhild,  63  ;  in 
Xanten,  64 ;  invited  to  Worms,  64 ; 
punishes  Kriemliild,  65;  Hagen 
plots  against,  66 ;  betrayal  and 
death  of,  67 ;  burial  of,  69 ;  mourn- 
ing for,  70 ;  body  of  removed  to 
Lorch,  71  ;  Kriemhild  mourns  for, 
73 ;  Hagen  confesses  murder  of, 
78 ;  sword  of,  84 ;  Swanhild  daugh- 
ter of,  123 ;  Kriemhild  widow  of, 
126. 

Sieg'mund.  Father  of  Siegfried,  54; 
welcomes  Kriemhild,  64;  visits 
Wor»is,  64;  hears  news  of  Sieg- 
fried's death,  69. 

Si'ge-bant.  Father  of  ITagen,  23; 
death  of,  24. 

Si-ge-min'ne.  Same  as  Rauch- 
Else,  tran  formation  of,  105;  mar- 
riage and  Jcidnaping  of,  105 ;  res- 
cued by  Wolfdietrich,  106;  Lieb- 
gart  resembles,  107 ;  magic  shirt 
given  by,  108. 

Si-ge-not'.  Dietrich's  adventure 
with,  112;  Hildebrand's  encounter 
with,  113. 

22 


Si'gune.  Daughter  of  Josiane,  188; 
Parzival  finds,  191,  195. 

Si'gurd.  Same  as  Siegfried,  53; 
Danish  dynasty  traces  origin  to, 
269 ;  P^afnisbane,  274. 

Si'guru  Ring.  Sues  for  Ingeborg's 
hand,  255 ;  kings  of  Sogn  make 
treaty  with,  256;  Frithiof  offers  to 
conquer,  257;  marries  Ingeborg, 
261,  269;  Frithiof  visits,  264;  hunt- 
ing expedition  of,  265 ;  death  ot, 
266,  270;  son  of,  266;  marries  Al- 
fild,  269;  wooes  Alfsol,  270. 

Si'gurd  the  Snake-eyed.  Son  of 
Ragnar,  275. 

Si-mii/de.     See  Kiinhild. 

Si-milt'.     See  Kunhild. 

Sin'doi.t.     Helps  Siegfried,  56. 

Sin'tram.     Dietrich  dehvers,  117. 

Skeaf.     Son  of  Odin,  9;  career  of, 

ID. 

Skioi.d.     Same  as  Skeaf,  9,  10. 
Skiol'duxgs.     Dynasty  of,  9. 
Sod'om.    Huon  and  Amanda  deluded 

by  apples  of,  175. 
Sogn.     Kingdom  of  taken  by  Jokul, 

249;  kings  of,  Sigurd  Rings  threaten 

war  against,  255- 
Sol-dan'a.     City  given  to  Cid,  285. 
Sol-ta'ne.      Forest    where   Parzival 

was  brought  up,  188. 
Sol'way  Firth.     Battle  of,  205. 
Sons  of  Ay'.mon,  152-162. 
So'ri;.     A  pirate,  stole  Volund  ring, 

251. 
Spain.      Charlemagne   in,   129,   140, 

143,    144;    Roland    in,    149,    150; 

Aymon  in,    154;    Montsalvatch   in, 

185  ;  Arabs  in,  282  ;  patron  of,  285. 
Stan-gar-he'de.      Ragnar  at,  273. 
Si'AN'iards.      Legend  of   Holy  Grail 

christianized    by,     182;     Richoude 

belongs  to,  188 ;  battle  cry  of,  287. 
Span'ish.     Cortes,  297;  cycle,  302. 
Spen'ser.   "  Faerie  Queene  "  of,  211, 

310. 
Stei'er-mark.    Province  of  given  to 

Dietlieb,  118;   Dietlieb  of,  120. 
Ste'phen,  St.     Church  of,  215. 
Stone'henge.       Work    of    Merlin, 

208,  211. 
Stu'das.     Father  of  Heime,  115. 
Sivr'i-a.      Sec  SUicrmark. 


338 


GLOSSARY  AND   INDEX. 


Su'ders.     Ortnit  sets  sail  for,  97. 

Sul'tan.  Daughter  of,  164;  Amanda 
to  be  sold  as  slave  to,  176  ;  gardens 
of,  177;  Amanda  refuses  to  marry, 
178;   sends  embassy  to  Cid,  298- 

Su'SAT.  Dietrich  goes  to,  124; 
Waldemar's  son  a  captive  in,  125 ; 
Dietrich's  mournful  return  to,  126. 

Svith'i-od.     Eystein  king  of,  274. 

Swan'hild.  Daughter  of  Siegfried 
and  Kriemhild,  death  of,  123; 
brothers  of,  126. 

Swan  Knight.     Lohengrin  the,  203. 

Swe'den.  Eadgils  king  of,  19; 
part  of  Wilkina  land,  121 ;  Viking 
in,  247 ;   Svithiod  same  as,  274. 

Swedes.     Beowulf  conquers,  12. 

Swe'dish.  Writers,  246;  princess, 
Hunvor  a,  247;  king,  Eystein  the, 
276. 

Swem'mel.    Hungarian  minstrel,  74. 

Swin'burne,  204,  234. 

Swords.  See  Ndgeliiig,  Nagelring, 
Mimung,  Eckesax,  Joyeuse,  Duran- 
dana,  Altecler,  Elamberge,  Excali- 
bur,  Aiigun'adel,   Tizona,  Colada. 

Syr'i-a.     Ortnit's  journey  to,  95. 

Tan'tris.     Same  as  Tristan,  238. 

Ta-ras-co'ni-a.     Iwo  prince  of,  156. 

Tarn'kap-1'E.  Siegfried  and,  55,  60  ; 
Laurin  and,  119. 

Tchio-na-tu-lan'der.  And  Sigune, 
188;  Parzival  to  avenge,  191 ; 
shrine  of,  195. 

Teg-n6r'.     Writings  of,  246,  267. 

Tem'plaRS  Guardians  of  Holy  Grail 
called,  186 ;  divine  guidance  of, 
187;  anticipation  of,  189;  disap- 
pointment of,  199 ;  customs  of, 
202;  renown  of,  301. 

Ten'ny-son,  204. 

Teu-ton'ic.     Cycle,  301. 

Thames.     Brutus  visits  the,  309. 

ThE-Od'o-RIC.  Of  Verona,  same  as 
Dietrich  of  Bc-rii,  no,  127;  tomb 
of,  128. 

The-OD-o-ri'cus.  And  Roland  at 
Roncesvalles,  146,  147. 

The'seus.     Adventures  of,  249. 

Thes-sa-lo-ni'ca.  Walgundof,  loo; 
Hugdietrich  at,  100 ;  Berchther  at, 

lOI, 


Thie'dric.      Roland's  squire,  148. 

Thing.  Convoked  by  Hygd,  18; 
Beowulf  elected  by,  19;  Bele  con- 
vokes, 252 ;  Ragnar  recognized  by, 
270. 

Thom'as,  Lord,  245. 

Thom'as  of  Er'cil-doune,  234. 

Tho'ra.      Daughter  of  Jarl  Herrand, 

271  ;    Ragnar  rescues  and  marries, 

272  ;   sons  and  death  of,  272. 
Tho'rer.      Son  of  Viking,  249. 
Thor'sten.     L   Saga,  246.    IL   Son 

of  Viking,  receives  Angurvadel,  249; 
shipwrecks  of,  250;  marriage  and 
conquests  of,  250 ;  at  Framnas,  251 ; 
father  of  Frithiof,  251,  260,  261; 
last  interview  with  Bele,  252 ;  death 
and  burial  of,  252. 
Thu'ri-sind.     King  of  Gepidae,  86; 

granddaughter  of,  87. 
Tin-ta'gel.       In   Cornwall,  Gorlois 
lord  of,   209 ;    Uther's   secret  visit 
to,  209 ;  Mark  at,  235  ;  Tristan  at, 
236 ;   Iseult  to  go  to,  240. 
Ti-ta'ni-a.       Queen    of   the   fairies, 
175;    carries  off  Huonet,  176;  re- 
stored to  Oberon's  favor,  179. 
Tit'u-rel.      And    the    Holy   Grail, 
182-203;  Von  Eschenbach's  poem 
of,   182 ;  birth  of,    185 ;  vision    of, 
185 ;  sees  Holy  Grail,  186 ;  builds 
temple,  186;  guardian  of  Holy  Grail, 
187;    children   of,    188;    intercedes 
for  Amfortas,   189;   crowns    Parzi- 
val, 200 ;  disappearance  of,  200. 
Ti-tu'ri-sone.      Pilgrimage  of,  185. 
Ti'tus.    Disease  of,  183;  miraculous 

cure  of,  184. 
Ti-zo'na.     Sword  of  Cid,  won  from 
Moors,  285,  294;  given  to  Infante 
of  Carrion,  296 ;   recovered  by  Cid, 
297;  dead  Cid  draws,  300 ;  inscrip- 
tion on,  300. 
To-le'1)0.     School  of  magic  at,  153; 
Don  Alfonso  at,  290;  Cid  at,  291 ; 
Don  Alfonso   a   prisoner  at,   292 ; 
Yahia  ruler  of,  294 ;  Cortes  at,  297. 
To'ro.     City  given  to  Dona  Elvira, 

288 ;  taken  by  Don  Sancho,  290. 
Tour'mont.     Huon  at,  169. 
Tours.     Origin  of  name,  308. 
Tran-svi,-va'ni-a.     Herrat  princess 
of,  126, 


GLOSS^lA'i-  AND   INDEX. 


339 


Trev're-zent.     Son   of   Frimoutel, 

l88 ;  Parzival  visits,  199. 
Tki-ent'.   Dwelling  place  of  dragons, 

98. 
Tris'tan.     Ogier  and,    138 ;    legend 

of,  204;  story  of,  234-245. 
Tris'TREM.      See  Tristan. 
Tro'i-LUS.     And  Cressida,  story  of, 

305- 

Tron'je.     Hagen  of,  124. 

Troy.  Sigeminne  tjueen  of,  105 ; 
downfall  of,  303. 

Tu'nis.  Huon,  Amanda,  Fatima, 
and  Sherasmin  in,  177;  Galafre 
king  of,  180. 

Tu-ROI/dus.  Probable  author  of 
"  Chanson  de  Roland,"  130. 

Tu-RO'NUS.     Nephew  of  Brutus,  308. 

Tur'pIxN.  Latin  chronicle  attributed 
to,  129,  140;  adviser  of  Charle- 
magne, 131,  132,  147,  156. 

Tyre.     See  Suders. 

Ty-ro'le-an,  113,  118. 

Ul'fin.     Councilor  of  Uther,  209. 
U-i.Ys'sES.     In  mediteval   literature, 

303- 

UoTE  (wo'te).     See  Ute  II. 

Up'i.ands.     Njorfe  king  of,  248. 

Ur-Ra'ca,  Dona.  Receives  Zamora, 
288 ;  loses  Zamora,  289 ;  pleads  for 
Alfonso,  290 ;  besieged  by  Don 
Sancho,  290;  reviles  Cid,  291; 
warns  Alfonso  of  Sancho's  death, 
292. 

U'ta.     See  Ute  II. 

U'te.  I.  Queen  of  Burgundy,  53  ; 
interprets  Kriendiild's  dream,  54; 
at  tournament,  57;  Pilgrim,  broth- 
er of,  73  ;  disapproves  of  journey  to 
Hungary,  74.  11.  Marries  Ilildc- 
brand,  112;  rejoined  by  Ilikle- 
brand,  127. 

U'ther.  Son  of  Constans,  205; 
fights  with  Vortigern  and  liengist, 
208;  Merlin  builds  palace  for,  208, 
211 ;  changed  into  form  of  Gorlois, 
209;  marries  Yguerne,  210;  death 
of,  210;  father  of  Arthur,  2 14,  215  ; 
a  descendant  of  Brutus,  309. 

\  ai.-ikkr'na.  Given  to  Rodrigo, 
28q. 


Vale  ok  Thorns.     See  Roncesvalles. 
Va-len'ci-a.     Taken  by  Moors,  294, 

300 ;   recovered  by   Cid,   294 ;    Cid 

master  of,  295  ;  Moors  besiege,  296, 

298 ;    Cid's    return    to,    296,    298 ; 

Christians  cannot  hold,  299 ;   evac- 
uation of,  300. 
Vai.-hal'la.     Ragnar  summoned  to, 

278. 
Val'kyrs.     Brunhild  one  of  the,  274 ; 

Ragnar  warned  by,  278. 
Va-ran'gi-an  Guard.    The,  281. 
Veillantif      (va-an-tef).        Roland 

kills,  145. 
Ven'ice.     Lion  of,  281. 
Ver'gen.     Place  on  Danube,  73. 
Ve-ro'na.     Same  as  Bern,  77,   IIO; 

Theodoricof,  no;  tomb  of  Theodo- 

ric  near,  128. 
Ve-ron'i-ca,  St.     Story  of,  183. 
Ves-pa'si-an.     Sends  commission  to 

Jerusalem,  183;  at  Jerusalem,  184; 

at  Rome,  185. 
Vi-a'ne.     Renaud    meets    Aude    at 

siege  of,  149. 
Vi-en'na.     Library  at,  22;  wedding 

at,  73- 

ViK.     Frithiof  enters  the,  264. 

Vi'kixc;.  Grandson  of  Haloge,  247; 
early  adventures  and  marriage  of, 
247 ;  second  marriage  of,  248 ;  ad- 
ventures of  sons  of,  248  ;  -Egir  gives 
Ellida  to,  250. 

Vir'gil.     In  "  Rome  la  Grant,"  307. 

Vir'gin-ai..  Dietrich's  adventure 
with,  113,  114;  Dietrich  forsaken 
by,  123. 

Viv'i-AN.  And  Merlin,  21 1 -213; 
Lancelot  stolen  by,  219. 

Vol'ker.  Follower  of  Gunther,  re- 
ceives gifts,  77;  ally  of  Ilagen,  78, 
79;   kills  Ilun,  80;  might  of,  81. 

Voi/SUNG.     The  race,  no. 

\^ol'sung-a  sa'ga,  53,  269. 

Vo'lund.  The  smith,  115,  250;  ring 
of,  253,  257 

Vor'ti-gern. 

fortress,  205  ;   messengers  of,  206 
death  of,   208;   advised  by  Merlin, 

210. 

Vos'ges.     See  Wasgcnstein. 
Vli.-ca'nus,  Mount.    Malagigi's  ad- 
venture at,  153. 


Made  king  and  builds 


340 


GLOSSARY  AND  INDEX. 


Wace.  Writer  of  metrical  tale  of 
Brutus,  307. 

Wa-CHIl'de.     AndWittich,  115,  126. 

Wack'er-los.     Complaint  of,  36,  38. 

Wag'ner.  Used  mediaeval  legends, 
182,  204,  234. 

Wal'de-mak.  King  of  Reussen, 
Dietrich  wars  against,  125. 

Wa-leis'.     Battle  at,  27. 

Wales.     Arthur's  name  in,  214. 

Wal'guni)  of  Thes-sa-lo-m'ca. 
Hugdietrich's  visit  to,  lOo;  finds 
grandson  with  wolf,  102. 

Wal'ther  vox  Was'ge.n-stein. 
Champion  of  Ermenrich,  1 18;  at 
Gerimsburg,  122 ;  a  hostage  in 
Hungary,  124;  elopes  with  Hilde- 
gunde,  124;  marries  Hildegunde, 
125. 

Was'gex-stein.  Walther  and  Hilde- 
gunde flee  to,  124. 

Wat.  Follower  of  Hettel,  25 ;  ath- 
letic skill  of,  26 ;  wounds  Hagen, 
27 ;  fosters  Ortwine,  27 ;  to  be 
Gudrun's  deliverer,  31  ;  challenges 
Normans,  32 ;   kills  Gerlinda,  2,'^. 

Wax'muth.  Son  of  Hildburg,  103; 
and  Hugdietrich,  103. 

Way'land.     See  irielaiiJ. 

Weal'theow.   Wife  of  Hrothgar,  15. 

We'ber.     "  Oberon  "  of,  163. 

Welsh.  Poetry,  204;  version  of 
Tristan,  234. 

We'ner,  Lake.     Battle  of,  249. 

Wer'bel.  Hungarian  minstrel.  74; 
Hagen  strikes  off  hand  of,  80. 

We'ser.     See   Wisara. 

Wes'ter-lands.     Queen  of,  232. 

West-pha'li-a.      Dortmund  in,   162. 

Wiiit'a-BY.  Ragnar  at,  271  ;  second 
battle  at,  276. 

Wie'land.  I.  The  smith,  weapons 
of,  115,  154.  IT.  "Oberon"  of, 
163. 

Wif'lis-BURG.      Hastings  ai,  276. 

Wig'laf.  Avenges  Hardred,  19; 
accompanies  Beowulf,  19 ;  saves 
Beowulf's  life,  20. 

Wil-de'ber.  Joins  Dietrich,  117; 
in  Hungary,  121  ;   escape  of,  122. 

Wil-ki'xa  Laxd.  Dietrich  invades, 
121. 

Win'ciies-ter.     See  Camelot. 


Wi-sa'ra.  Falster  wood  on  banks 
of,  117. 

Wit'ig.     See  Wittich. 

Wit'tich.  Son  of  Wieland,  starts 
for  Bern,  115;  conquers  Dietrich, 
116;  goes  to  Rose  Garden,  118, 
120;  made  prisoner,  121;  released, 
122  ;  pursued  by  Dietrich  and  saved 
by  Wachilde,  126. 

Wolf-die'trich.  Rescue  of,  102 ; 
at  Meran,  103 ;  besieges  Constanti- 
nople, 103,  108 ;  adventures  with 
Rauch-Else,  104;  marries  Sige- 
minne,  105 ;  kills  Drusian,  106 ; 
adventure  with  Belligan,  106  ;  kills 
dragon  and  marries  Liebgart,  108 ; 
descendants  of,  109. 

Wolf'hart.  Nephew  of  Hilde- 
brand,  Ii2;  in  Rose  Garden,  118, 
120. 

Wol'fram  vox  Esch'en-bach,  86, 
182,  204. 

Worms.  Capital  of  Burgundy,  53 ; 
Siegfried  at,  55,  57,  58;  Kriemhild 
at,  64;  Siegfried  carried  to,  68; 
mourning  at,  69;  Riidiger  at,  71, 
82;  minstrels  at,  74;  chaplain  re- 
turns to,  75  ;  tidings  carried  to,  85  ; 
Rose  Garden  at,  120;  Gunther  and 
Hagen  do  not  return  to,  124. 

WiJL'PEX-SAXD.     Battle  of,  29. 

Xan'tex.  Tournament  at,  54;  Sieg- 
fried and  Kriemhild  at,  64. 

Xi-me'xa,  Doxa.  Seeks  to  avenge 
her  father,  284 ;  marries  Cid,  285  ;  at 
Zamora,  287 ;  Cid  parts  from,  293 ; 
executes  last  wishes  of  Cid,  299. 

j  Va'iii-a.      (Jrandson  of  Alimaymon, 
;      294. 

:  Y-guerxe'.     Wife  of  Gorlois,  209; 
marries     Uther,     210;     mother    of 
Arthur,  215. 
Y-SOLUk'.      See  Iseiill. 
Y'voiR-ix  OF  Moxt'branu.      Uncle 

of  Esclarmonde,  180. 
Y'wAix.     Grandson  of  Yguernc,  209. 
Za-mo'ra.     Cid  returns  to,  287 ;  Dona 
Urraca  at,  288,  290;  Don  Sancho 
takes,  289;  siege  of,  290,  291  ;  Don 
Alfonso's  arrival  at,  292. 
Zea'land.     Herwig's  kingdom,  28. 


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